Tooro has been rocked by the tragic death of renowned music icon Moses Kigambo Araali, who passed away at the age of 47 on January 4, 2025. Kigambo, widely celebrated for his contributions to the preservation of culture and leadership through music, breathed his last at the Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital (Buhinga), where he had been receiving treatment for an emergency intestinal obstruction.
A Legacy in Music
Moses Kigambo Araali, a proud Musiita by clan, gained recognition for his ability to blend cultural pride and leadership themes into his music. His work touched hearts across the region, earning him numerous accolades. Among his most notable achievements were:
- The Best Artist Award at the 2007 Pearl of Africa Music (PAM) Awards.
- The 2008 East Africa KISIMA Music Award from Nairobi, Kenya, and Best Video Uganda.
- The Rotary International Vocational Award for integrating development themes into entertainment in 2009.
- The Tooro Eyanyenkya Hati Gold Medal in 2015, presented by Brig. Gen. Ronnie Balya.
- The Uganda Music Award (TUMA) for Best Regional Artist in Western Uganda in 2017.
- The Media Practitioner Award from Rt. Rev. Robert K. Muhiirwa, Bishop of Fort Portal Diocese in 2018.
Early Life and Career
Born on March 1, 1977, in Kyenjojo, Nyakabara Kijuma Ward, Kyenjojo Town Council, Moses Kigambo was married and a proud father of four. He completed his Primary Leaving Examination (PLE) at Nyantungo Primary School in 1992, but chose not to pursue further formal education. Instead, he focused on vocational training, studying motorcycle and motor vehicle mechanics and pursuing entrepreneurship.
Kigambo was best known for his iconic song “Ekirare Kya Tooro,” a tribute to the legacy of Tooro’s leaders. This song cemented his place in the cultural history of Tooro, further solidifying his status as an influential figure in the region.
Final Farewell
Kigambo’s passing has left a deep void in the music industry and in the hearts of many who admired his work. According to the tentative program:
- A church service is scheduled for January 6, 2025, at Zoe Ministries in Kisenyi, after which his body will be transferred to his ancestral home in Kyenjojo Nyakabara for the final send-off on January 7, 2025.
Moses Kigambo Araali’s contributions to music, culture, and leadership will not be forgotten, and he will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
