Before the memes, Alex Mukulu Was the main character

What the report says

Sqoop Uganda published a profile looking back at the late Alex Mukulu’s role in Ugandan theatre and the newer online attention his personality has gained through TikTok, WhatsApp and other social platforms. The piece says younger audiences often encounter him through short clips, facial expressions and memorable lines, while older audiences remember him as a major stage figure who helped turn National Theatre performances into major cultural events.

According to the article, Mukulu was once a major draw at Kampala’s National Theatre, where his productions reportedly attracted large crowds and were known for being satirical, political, musical and visually ambitious. The story highlights shows such as Seven Wonders of Uganda, Wounds of Africa and 30 Years of Bananas as examples of his style, which mixed performance, symbolism and social commentary rather than simple entertainment.

The profile also notes that Mukulu later spent years away from the National Theatre before returning in 2024 with Kulumbisi and Kulunkalu. Sqoop Uganda frames this as a reminder that his reputation was built long before social media rediscovered him. The article’s broader point is that the meme version of Mukulu can obscure his influence as a theatre innovator, performer and business-minded producer who shaped Uganda’s cultural scene.