Alex Mukulu: Famous Quotes
There will be a public viewing of his body on Tuesday August 18, 2026 at the National Theatre, starting at 2pm. Mukulu will be buried on Thursday at a venue yet to be announced by his family.
Alex Mukulu. File photo
Alex Mukulu, the playwright and composer of renown, passed away on Saturday August 15 after battling liver complications at the age of 72.
There will be a public viewing of his body on Tuesday August 18, 2026 at the National Theatre, starting at 2pm. Mukulu will be buried on Thursday at a venue yet to be announced by his family.
Mukulu, throughout his life, did not mince with words. He was witty, sharp and even President Museveni in 1992 referred to him as “provocative”. This was after he had watched his play, 30 Years of Bananas. His last play, Kulunkalu ne Kulumbisi, was staged at National Theatre in 2024.
Remembering Alex Mukulu through his memorable words, he was known for his blunt, provocative and often humorous style, particularly when commenting on society, politics, culture and talent.
“If you find someone eating the same food, such as kikomando, throughout the week and riding a boda boda, that person can never think or reason very well. How can you eat pork every day and really expect your mind to remain healthy? The body does not need that.”
During a television interview with a female presenter, Mukulu once asked: “Do you watch pornography. At your age, you cannot tell me you have never watched pornography. Off camera, you would probably admit it.”
During the popular Yolesa Ekitone talent search on Bukedde TV, he famously told a contestant, “Sing the national anthem. Do not talk it.”
On the cost of professional qualifications, he quipped, “You renew your driving permit, so why don't you renew your degrees too? It is a stupid question, but also a good one,” he said.
During Yolesa Ekitone, Mukulu dismissed a contestant called Masaka after a vulgar performance of Nansikombi, a song about sex, telling him, “Genda owemulire abwewamwe.” (Go spew obscenities to your relatives)
On political appointments. “I would rather drink poison and die than thank President Museveni for appointing people like Butcherman as presidential advisers.”
During a Yolesa Ekitone talent search, Mukulu criticized The Real Dance Crew group from Jinja, and dissqualified them for their foul stench. “Muwunya,” he said after their perfomance.
On Uganda’s national identity, he once questioned, “How can Uganda have a national anthem in English?”
Speaking about young people and changing fashion trends, he remarked, “You find a boy smoking shisha, wearing earrings and telling you, ‘Mzee, this is our generation,’ with metals in his nose as if he is a pig.”