The death of Alex Mukulu has hit Uganda’s creative industry hard, and Aloysius Matovu Joy is among those feeling the loss.
Mukulu died on August 15 at the age of 72, leaving behind more than four decades of work as a playwright, actor, director, and musician.
Matovu has spoken about the pain of losing him, but he has also reflected on the years Mukulu lived and everything he managed to do during that time.
In his view, reaching the age of 70 means a person has already had the chance to accomplish much of what they came into the world to do.
That is why, even in mourning, he looks back at Mukulu’s life with gratitude.
Uganda Prepares to Bid Mukulu Farewell
Uganda will give Mukulu an official burial on August 20 in Kijabijjo, Gayaza, after President Yoweri Museveni granted the celebrated theatre practitioner an official send-off.
The National Organising Committee (NOC) has joined Mukulu’s family in preparing for the burial, which will bring together relatives, friends, fellow artists and other mourners.
Four Decades of Theatre and Music
Mukulu’s work took him across theatre, acting, directing and music, with his productions often drawing from Uganda’s political, social and cultural life.
His best-known works include “30 Years of Bananas,” “Wounds of Africa,” “The Guest of Honour,” “Muzukulu wa Kabangala” and “Journey to Self-Realisation.”
He staged “30 Years of Bananas” in 1992 as Uganda marked 30 years of independence, using humour and political satire to examine the country’s journey after independence.
Years later, “Journey to Self-Realisation” featured during the opening ceremony of the 2007 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Kampala.
As Uganda prepares to lay Mukulu to rest, Matovu’s reflection offers another way to look at the loss: 72 years of life, decades of work and a contribution that touched generations of performers and theatre lovers.
Aloysius Matovu Joy reflects on the life and legacy of Alex Mukulu.#SanyukaUpdates pic.twitter.com/GTmBOM7yK8
— Sanyuka TV (@sanyukatv) August 18, 2026