The family of veteran Ugandan actor and playwright Alex Mukulu has revealed that the theatre icon died from liver complications as preparations for his final send-off get underway.
Mukulu, 72, died on August 15, 2026, while receiving treatment at Kiruddu Hospital, leaving Uganda’s arts and entertainment fraternity mourning one of its most influential figures.
As the family and the arts community prepare to bid him farewell, the government has joined discussions on his funeral arrangements, with calls for Mukulu to receive an official send-off in recognition of his contribution to Uganda’s creative industry.
Abbey Mukiibi, a member of the committee organising the funeral, said the government considers Mukulu a national asset and has become part of discussions with the family.
“We are in negotiations with the family alongside the government because the government has joined in because Alex was a national asset who deserves an official send-off,” Mukiibi said.
A letter has also reportedly been sent to President Museveni seeking his involvement in the final arrangements.
Meanwhile, the arts fraternity will gather at the National Theatre on Tuesday at 2pm for a public mourning ceremony to celebrate Mukulu’s life and contribution to the industry.
His body is expected to return to the funeral home on Wednesday as the family and organising committee continue working on the burial programme.
The burial date has, however, not yet been confirmed.
The committee is considering Thursday, while the family has suggested Saturday. Monday has also been floated as another possibility, partly because a weekday burial could make it easier for members of the arts community to attend.
The family is also waiting for some of Mukulu’s children who live abroad to return home before he is laid to rest.
Mukiibi said the committee expects to agree on a final burial date by Tuesday.
Mukulu’s death marks the loss of a towering figure in Uganda’s theatre industry. He was an actor, playwright, director, storyteller and mentor whose career spanned decades and whose work reflected different aspects of Uganda’s social, political and cultural life.
He was also widely remembered by television audiences for his role as a strict judge on Yolese Ekitone, where his sharp assessments and uncompromising standards became part of his public identity.
The funeral organising committee is chaired by Hon Naomi Themes, with Steven Rwanjezi, Hon Mike Sebalu and Mukulu’s brother Michael serving as deputies. Ragga Dee and Andrew Benon Kibuuka are also members, while Charles James Senkubuge, Phillip Luswata and Abbey Mukiibi are serving as spokespersons.
As the family awaits the return of his children and finalises the burial programme, Uganda’s creative community is preparing to give Mukulu a farewell befitting a man whose work left a lasting mark on the country’s theatre and entertainment landscape.
May his soul rest in peace.
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