Kampala, Uganda — 15 August 2026:
Ugandan theatre has lost one of its veteran voices, with the death of playwright, actor and filmmaker Alex Mukulu at the age of 72.
Mukulu’s death was reported by Ugandan media on Saturday, including New Vision and CTV Uganda. The circumstances and cause of his death had not been made public by the time of publication.
Born in 1954 in Misebe, Ssingo County, Mukulu built a career lasting more than four decades and became known for theatre productions that confronted political, social and cultural issues.
He studied film and drama at Makerere University after attending Kololo Secondary School. His work later earned him recognition as one of the pioneers of protest theatre in Uganda.
Mukulu’s notable productions included Wounds of Africa, 30 Years of Bananas, Excuse Me Mzungu and The Guest of Honour. His work often used satire and drama to examine questions of governance, inequality, identity and the changing nature of Ugandan society.
He also wrote Journey to Self-Realization, which was performed during the opening ceremony of the 2007 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Kampala.
Other productions credited to him include Muzukulu wa Kabangala, I Killed the Archbishop, A Good Muganda Case and The People’s President.
In 2024, Mukulu returned to the stage after a lengthy absence with Kulunkalu ne Kulumbisi, an African adaptation of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. The production was staged at the National Theatre in Kampala and examined themes of division and reconciliation.
News of his death has prompted tributes from members of Uganda’s arts and media fraternity, many of whom have remembered him for his outspoken approach to theatre and his willingness to address difficult issues through performance.
Mukulu leaves behind a body of work that influenced generations of Ugandan theatre practitioners and audiences.
Details of his funeral arrangements and any official statement from his family are expected to follow.
