Alex Mukulu: A Friend, a Mentor and a Light to Ugandan Art

What the report says

Ugandan musician Isaiah Katumwa has published a tribute in Watchdog Uganda reflecting on his long friendship with playwright and artist Alex Mukulu. The piece recalls their first meeting in 1992, when Katumwa was a young saxophonist performing in Mukulu’s acclaimed stage production “30 Years of Bananas,” a work tied to Uganda’s 30 years of independence and attended by the president, according to the publisher.

Katumwa describes Mukulu as more than an actor or playwright, portraying him as an original thinker who encouraged artists to look beyond familiar limits. The tribute says Mukulu continued to support Katumwa over the years, including visiting his home after a 2012 concert to praise the performance and ask about the ideas behind his songwriting. That interaction is presented as evidence of Mukulu’s curiosity, warmth and interest in other creatives.

The Watchdog Uganda article frames Mukulu as an important figure in Ugandan culture whose influence extended beyond the stage. It emphasizes his role as a mentor and friend who helped shape younger artists’ thinking and confidence. While the piece is personal in tone, it also serves as a reminder of the broader contribution of theatre and music figures to Uganda’s cultural life. The tribute closes by honoring Mukulu’s legacy and the inspiration he left behind.