Ibrah Matovu has a huge musical legacy to live up to as he steps further into his late father Moses Matovu’s place at Afrigo Band.
Afrigo Band singer and percussionist Herman Ssewanyana says Ibrah is being closely mentored as he develops into the performer the legendary musician’s son could eventually become.
Speaking to Spark TV, Ssewanyana said Ibrah has been around the band for some time and that they have watched him grow as an artist.
“We have been mentoring him and he has been with us for some time. We watched him grow. He is a singer and he is the Matovu that we have but he hasn’t got to his father’s level yet. We are still mentoring him so he comes out strong,” Ssewanyana said.
The comments come as Ibrah continues to take on a more visible role with Afrigo Band following the death of his father.
Moses Matovu, the veteran singer, saxophonist and longtime Afrigo Band leader, died last month after a scuffle involving Vincent Arnold Nsamba. Nsamba is currently in custody in connection with Matovu’s death.
With the band’s longtime frontman gone, attention has naturally turned to whether his son can carry forward the legacy he built over decades.
Ssewanyana, who has also served as one of Afrigo Band’s lead singers and is reported to have taken on leadership responsibilities within the group, acknowledged just how difficult that task will be.
“Matovu’s shoes are too big to fill,” he said.
Ssewanyana added that Ibrah has not yet reached his father’s level, but the band is determined to help him get there.
“He hasn’t got there yet but we are trying to lift him to that level that we want him to be at,” he said.
For Ibrah, the challenge is bigger than simply taking over a position in one of Uganda’s most established bands. He is attempting to build his own identity while following the path of a father whose name is deeply connected to Afrigo Band’s history.
Whether he ultimately fills those shoes remains to be seen. For now, Ssewanyana says the focus is on mentorship, development and giving Ibrah time to grow into the role.