Uganda’s entertainment and theatre fraternity is mourning the death of veteran playwright, actor, director and theatre practitioner Alex Mukulu, who has died at the age of 72.
Mukulu died on Saturday, August 15, 2026, according to multiple media platforms. Details surrounding his death were limited initially, although later reports from Daily Monitor stated that he had been battling illness for the past couple of months.
Born in 1954, Mukulu spent more than four decades contributing to Uganda’s performing industry. He became one of the country’s most recognizable theatre personalities, using drama, music and storytelling to explore Uganda’s political history, culture, leadership and social challenges.
A Giant of Ugandan Theatre.
Alex was particularly known for production including
- Wounds of Africa
- 30 years of Bananas
- Guest of Honour
- Muzukulu wa Kabangala
- Opera Bakisimba
- Seven wonders of Uganda
His work frequently combined humor with serious commentary about Ugandan society and politics. One of his notable achievements was “Journey of self-Restoration,” which was performed during the opening ceremony of the 2007 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Kampala
Beyond acting and writing, Mukulu was also recognized as a mentor who influenced younger generations of Ugandan performers and helped keep theatre alive during a period when audiences increasingly shifted to televisions and digital entertainment.
Buganda katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga mourned Mukulu, describing him as a gifted artist who was deeply committed to Buganda’s culture and traditions.
Mayiga highlighted Mukulu’s achievements as a writer, director, actor, songwriter, and singer, while also remembering his loyalty to the Kabaka and his contribution to the cultural preservation.
Other artists, journalists and cultural figures have also joined the growing wave of tributes, describing Mukulu as an influential figure whose wisdom, creativity and contribution to theatre will be remembered.
Mukulu’s death marks the loss of one of Uganda’s long-serving theatre figure. His productions provided generations of Ugandans with entertainment while also challenging audiences to think about the country’s politics, history, culture and social realities.
His legacy will live on through the plays he created the performers he mentored and the generations of Ugandans who experienced hid work.
Alex Mukulu was 72.
