Party president Robert Kyagulanyi has paid tribute to Matovu, who contested the January 2026 parliamentary election and challenged the victory of NRM candidate Kenan Opio in court.
Former Busiro South Member of Parliament Charles Matovu has died at the age of 41, senior officials of his party, the National Unity Platform (NUP), have announced.
NUP president Robert Kyagulanyi described the news as shocking, paying tribute to Matovu as a brother, comrade and fellow leader in the opposition movement.
“Very shocking news. May God strengthen all of us,” Kyagulanyi said.
Matovu, an electrical engineer, was born on April 1, 1985, according to his official profile on Parliament’s website. He represented Busiro County South in Wakiso District on the NUP ticket during Uganda’s 11th Parliament.
He sought re-election in the January 15, 2026 parliamentary election but lost to National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate Kenan Opio, who was declared the winner.
According to court records, Matovu obtained 30,487 votes against Opio’s 36,497. He challenged the results in the High Court in Entebbe, alleging that irregularities and non-compliance with electoral laws had affected the outcome.
On September 25, 2026, the High Court dismissed a separate application by Matovu seeking access to additional electoral materials, ruling that his requests did not identify the documents with sufficient specificity. The ruling concerned the application for the materials and was separate from the substantive election petition.
Matovu’s political career also unfolded amid tensions during the 2025–2026 election campaigns. In December 2025, NUP reported that he and members of his campaign team had been assaulted by men alleged to be in uniform while campaigning in Busiro South. The party said those affected received treatment at Mengo Hospital.
His reported death has prompted renewed tributes from within the opposition movement, with Kyagulanyi calling for strength among party members.
Further details surrounding his death, including the cause, location and funeral arrangements, had not been independently confirmed at the time of writing.