President Yoweri Museveni has granted veteran playwright and theatre practitioner Alex Mukulu an official funeral, the Minister of State for Gender and Cultural Affairs, Mary Grace Kuteesa, has announced.
Kuteesa made the announcement on Tuesday during the national theatre send-off for Mukulu, who died aged 72, saying she had informed the President about the death of one of Uganda’s most influential creative figures.
“I took liberty to inform the President of this country that our great general of the creative industry had passed on, and the President therefore communicated this afternoon he will accord Alex a national official funeral,” Kuteesa said.
She thanked Museveni for the gesture, saying it recognised Mukulu’s contribution to Uganda’s creative industry and reflected the importance of the arts to the country.
“On behalf of the others, I want to sincerely thank the President because of his pride in this industry and being one of yourselves. I am sure that this is the time for our industry to go to greater heights,” she said.
Kuteesa said details of the official funeral would be communicated to Mukulu’s family by the Ministry of the Presidency and the relevant inter-ministerial committee.
The announcement came as artists, cultural practitioners, government officials and members of the public gathered at the National Theatre to honour Mukulu, whose career spanned decades and whose works helped shape Uganda’s modern theatre.
Kuteesa described the creative and cultural industries as important drivers of Uganda’s social and economic transformation, saying Mukulu belonged to a generation of pioneers who created opportunities for younger artists.
She recalled her own experience as a young performer on the National Theatre stage, saying many Ugandan artists who have gone on to successful careers began by being given an opportunity to perform at the venue.
“Let us take a moment to celebrate the fathers that have nurtured this industry,” she said. “If there had not been people who believed in him and allowed him to perform, maybe we would have missed a great talent.”
The minister used Mukulu’s death to challenge established artists to mentor emerging talent, preserve their work and ensure that Uganda’s creative heritage is documented.
She said Mukulu’s legacy should not end with his death, particularly because some of his works have gained renewed economic value.
“There are many plays that he has done that have actually become more economically viable now after he has gone than they were when he was,” Kuteesa said.
She urged Mukulu’s family and the creative fraternity to protect his intellectual property, describing his body of work as an important economic asset that could continue generating value for his family and future generations.
Kuteesa also said the government was taking steps to strengthen Uganda’s creative economy through financing mechanisms for artists, intellectual property protection, skills development, support for cultural enterprises and investment in cultural infrastructure.
She said about Shs18.99 billion had so far been invested in creative industry initiatives and indicated that government funding for the sector would continue.
But the minister said Mukulu’s death should also serve as a reminder that government must create an environment in which artists can work, own their intellectual property and build sustainable enterprises.
She called on cultural institutions such as the National Theatre to remain accessible to both established and emerging artists.
To Mukulu’s family, Kuteesa expressed appreciation for sharing the veteran artist with Uganda throughout his career.
“We thank you for sharing him with the rest of Uganda. You made your sacrifices, you provided support, you shared the love with the entire nation, and so your loss is deeply personal,” she said.
“But please understand that Uganda mourns with you. The creative fraternity mourns with you, and the government of Uganda mourns with you.”
Kuteesa said Mukulu’s physical presence on the stage had come to an end, but his work should open a new chapter for younger generations of artists.
“The curtain today will fall on Alex’s physical presence. He may not be here physically again. Maybe this is the last time he is on the stage. But the curtain is going to open instead for the generation that must pick up his heart,” she said.
She urged artists to create boldly, mentor generously and document their work so that future generations can build on the foundations laid by pioneers such as Mukulu.
The official funeral decision adds a state dimension to the national farewell for an artist whose career left a lasting mark on Ugandan theatre and the wider creative industry.
The Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, together with the Ministry of the Presidency and other relevant government agencies, is expected to engage Mukulu’s family on arrangements for the official funeral.
