Uganda’s arts and entertainment fraternity is mourning the death of veteran playwright, actor, author and theatre director Alex Mukulu, who has died at the age of 72 after reportedly battling illness for several months. Mukulu’s death marks the loss of one of the country’s most influential figures in theatre, whose career spanned decades and helped shape Uganda’s performing arts landscape. Born in 1954 in Misebe, Ssingo County, Mukulu was the son of Paulo Kayizi Lugaizi and Victoria Ndagire. He attended Kololo Secondary School before pursuing Film and Drama at Makerere University, where he developed the foundation for a career that would make him a prominent name in Ugandan theatre. His official biography also identifies him as a 1954-born playwright from Misebe who studied Film and Drama at Makerere. A career built around storytelling Mukulu began his theatrical journey in 1977 with Muzukulu wa Kabalangala. Over the years, he produced and directed numerous works dealing with politics, identity, society, culture and the African experience. Among his best-known productions were Wounds of Africa, The Guest of Honour and 30 Years of Bananas. The latter, published by Oxford University Press in 1993, became one of his most recognised literary works. His contribution was not limited to theatre stages. In 2007, his production Journey to Self-Realisation was performed during the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Kampala, exposing his storytelling to an international audience. He later directed a production celebrating Uganda’s 50th independence anniversary at Kololo Independence Grounds in 2012. His contribution to the country’s cultural sector was also recognised through an Independence Medal. A mentor to younger creatives Mukulu remained connected to Uganda’s theatre community even after decades in the industry. In 2024, he returned to the stage with Kulunkalu ne Kulumbisi, a local adaptation of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, staged at the National Theatre in Kampala. The production provided him with another opportunity to work alongside younger theatre practitioners and pass on his experience to a new generation. His return was significant because Mukulu had previously spent many years away from the stage. New Vision reported in 2024 that he had returned to theatre after a 17-year absence, with the veteran saying he wanted to use his experience to inspire young actors and actresses. A familiar face beyond the theatre stage For many Ugandans, Mukulu was also remembered for his television appearances. He became widely known to viewers as a judge on Bukedde TV’s Yolese Ekitone, a talent-search programme where his direct and often tough assessments became part of his public identity. While he was known for being demanding of performers, his approach reflected his long-standing belief in discipline and excellence within the creative industry. A lasting legacy Mukulu’s influence stretched beyond the productions he created. His works used theatre as a platform to examine Uganda’s political and social realities while entertaining audiences and encouraging them to think about the issues affecting society. His work 30 Years of Bananas, for instance, explored the experiences of a Rwandan refugee navigating life and survival through changing political circumstances, using an individual's story to reflect wider realities in the region. His death leaves a significant gap in Uganda’s theatre community, but his body of work and the generations of performers and theatre-makers he influenced remain part of his enduring legacy. For an industry increasingly focused on attracting younger audiences while preserving its history, Alex Mukulu’s contribution stands as a reminder of the role theatre can play in documenting society, challenging ideas and keeping cultural stories alive. Ugandan theatre has lost one of its veteran voices, but the stories he created and the creatives he inspired will continue to carry his name forward.