Buganda Kingdom Prime Minister Charles Peter Mayiga has led tributes to veteran playwright, actor and director Alex Mukulu, praising the late theatre icon for his outstanding contribution to Uganda’s arts industry and his deep love for Buganda’s culture.Mukulu passed away on Saturday, August 15, 2026, at the age of 72, bringing to an end a career that lasted several decades and saw him become one of the most respected figures in Uganda’s theatre circles.
Mayiga described Mukulu as a highly talented artist whose work went beyond entertainment, noting that his productions carried important messages about society, culture, politics and the history of Uganda.“The news of the death of the talented Alex Mukulu has deeply saddened me,” Mayiga said in a message released following the theatre veteran’s death.According to Mayiga, Mukulu distinguished himself in several areas of the creative industry, working as a playwright, actor, director, songwriter and singer.He said Mukulu consistently produced high-quality plays that educated, entertained and challenged audiences, while also providing valuable lessons to fellow artists.“He produced plays of a high standard, and we learnt a lot from his productions,” Mayiga noted.
The Buganda premier further praised Mukulu for his loyalty to Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II and his commitment to preserving and promoting the traditions of Buganda.Mayiga said Mukulu was a devoted subject of the Kabaka who had a strong appreciation for Buganda’s culture and heritage.“He was a man of the Kabaka who greatly loved the traditions and culture of Buganda,” Mayiga said.He sent his condolences to Mukulu’s family, friends, colleagues and the wider arts community, while praying for the deceased’s soul.Mukulu was born in 1954 and went on to establish himself as one of the leading playwrights and theatre directors in Uganda.For approximately four decades, he remained active in the theatre industry, creating productions that addressed some of the most important political, social and cultural issues facing the country.
His impressive body of work included 30 Years of Bananas, Wounds of Africa, Muzukulu wa Kabangala, Opera Bakisimba, Dances with Poverty and Seven Wonders of Uganda.Among his best-known works was 30 Years of Bananas, a political satire first staged in 1992 as Uganda celebrated three decades of independence.Through humour, music and drama, the production examined Uganda’s political and social journey since independence and became one of Mukulu’s most recognised works.The play later gained further recognition after Oxford University Press published it as a book in 1993.Mukulu’s influence was not limited to his own performances. He also played a significant role in mentoring upcoming actors and helping young artists develop their skills at a time when live theatre remained an important form of entertainment in Uganda.His productions often challenged audiences to think about leadership, poverty, national identity, culture and the direction of the country.Another major achievement in his career came in 2007 when his production Journey to Self-Realisation was performed during the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Kampala.
News of his death has since prompted an emotional response from members of Uganda’s arts and entertainment fraternity.Journalist Dr Benjamin Kivumbi described Mukulu as a theatre icon whose wisdom, talent and immense contribution to the industry would be deeply missed.Entertainment critic Gabriel Buule also remembered him as a demanding director who insisted on discipline among members of his casts.Buule further described Mukulu as an outspoken personality who was never afraid to express his views, including his criticism of President Yoweri Museveni’s leadership.Even in his later years, Mukulu continued to reflect on the issues explored in his productions. In 2022, he spoke about 30 Years of Bananas, noting that several of the political and social questions raised by the play remained relevant decades after it was first performed.His death has left a significant gap in Uganda’s theatre industry, but his extensive body of work, the artists he mentored and the cultural issues he championed have ensured that his influence will live on.For many Ugandans in the arts, Alex Mukulu will be remembered not simply as an actor or playwright, but as one of the personalities who helped shape modern Ugandan theatre and kept the stage alive as a powerful platform for storytelling, cultural preservation and social commentary.
