Christopher Mukiibi makes burial wish at Alex Mukulu farewell

Veteran playwright, actor, and producer Christopher Mukiibi, while paying a glowing tribute to his friend Alex Mukulu at the National Theatre on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, made it known to all and sundry that he should "never be buried in a coffin. Just wrap me in a bark cloth and bury me. That is my will."

In his lengthy tribute to Mukulu, he remembered the special moments they shared. "When Alex was here, I was also here at the National Theatre when we sent away the Indians and Europeans who used to occupy the National Theatre.

There were two plays, the one that opened this theatre and the second play we brought here alongside my brother called George Katende, titled Kayayu Museveni owe Byuuma in 1964. Those were the two plays that sent away English-language plays."

Christopher Mukiibi speaks to mourners at the National Theatre during Alex Mukulu's farewell tribute. Photo by Ignatius Kamya

He continued, "I thank God because I am still alive. I was born in 1938, which makes me 88 years old. Alex has gone at 72. He is the one from the arts space that visited me at my home, and I also did the same. So, that shows that he has been my very good friend."

Mukiibi said that Alex Mukulu had requested they come up with a production better than his play called Bambi.

"During the staging of the play here, it was only Alex Mukulu who stayed in the audience until the end while everyone else walked out, shedding tears. So, Alex suggested we co-write a play bigger than that," he explained.

"Alex Mukulu was first brought to the National Theatre by a relative to watch a play, Kikwabanga. It was the first play he watched and admired," he said.

Mukiibi is remembered for writing the educative TV drama Lwaaki Baavu, which ran for eight years starting in 1969.