arts and culture 19 August 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Uganda Mourns Alex Mukulu: A Theatrical Giant Remembered
President Museveni and other national leaders paid tribute to the late Alex Mukulu, celebrating his impactful career as a playwright and his role in educating and transforming Ugandan society through theatre. The requiem service at Namirembe Cathedral highlighted his legacy as a fearless commentator and storyteller. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/museveni-leaders-pay-tribute-to-legendary-playwright-alex-mukulu--5564242
Uganda is mourning the loss of its legendary playwright, Alex Mukulu, a celebrated figure whose work significantly shaped the nation’s cultural landscape. A solemn requiem service was held at St. Paul’s Cathedral Namirembe, where President Yoweri Museveni, through a eulogy read by Minister Mary Grace Kuteesa, lauded Mukulu as a visionary artist.
The President emphasized Mukulu’s unique ability to harness theatre as a potent tool for public education, fostering national consciousness, and driving social change. He noted that Mukulu’s extensive career, which began in 1977, produced works like “Africa Peace” and “The People’s President,” serving as a crucial chronicle of Uganda’s sociopolitical evolution.
Mukulu’s artistic contributions were celebrated for their deep engagement with local narratives, addressing governance, societal issues, and the African experience. His plays often explored the daily lives, aspirations, and struggles of ordinary Ugandans, speaking truth to power through the medium of performance.
Prominent personalities from politics and the arts, including Leader of the Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi and veteran artists, gathered to honor Mukulu. Ssenyonyi remembered him as a courageous voice who utilized the stage to hold leaders accountable, asserting that Mukulu chose art over politics to amplify his message against social injustices.
During the service, Mukulu’s daughter, Gwendolyn Mukulu Chris, delivered a powerful musical tribute, foregoing a speech to sing the hymn “It Is Well.” His son, Edgar Mukulu, also addressed rumors, refuting claims of abandonment during his father’s illness and emphasizing the family’s decision to protect his privacy.
The playwright, actor, and director passed away on August 17. His casket, draped in the national flag, arrived at the cathedral, and after the service, it was taken to his Mengo residence for a vigil. Mukulu was laid to rest on Thursday at his ancestral home in Wakiso.