Katikkiro Mayiga wants govt to fund artistic production
Katikkiro Mayiga applauded the government's decision to accord Mukulu an official funeral, which he said was well deserved.
The Katikkiro of Buganda, Charles Peter Mayiga, has paid tribute to the late artist Alex Mukulu, describing him as somebody who standardised theatre in Uganda. (Photo by Dickson Kulumba)
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The Katikkiro of Buganda, Charles Peter Mayiga, has paid tribute to the late artist Alex Mukulu, describing him as somebody who standardised theatre in Uganda.
He applauded the government's decision to accord Mukulu an official funeral, which he said was well deserved.
He, however, said that was not enough. "I ask the Central Government to empower and support artists when still living. Why shouldn’t the government appreciate an artist with a medal coupled with a reasonable amount of money which he or she can use to improve their production?” he queried.
Alex Mukulu died on Saturday, August 15, 2026, at Kiruddu Referral Hospital in Makindye Division, Kampala, from liver failure. (Photo by Dickson Kulumba)
Mayiga also recognised Mukulu's deep love for his king, the Buganda Kingdom, and the Luganda language.
The state minister for culture, Mary Grace Kuteesa, urged the kingdom to utilise her office to enhance cultural promotion in the country.
Kuteesa said that the creative industry has got a bright future as government has started giving it a vote in budget allocations.
"On Mukulu's legacy, I don't think that he died, but he germinated. As I observed and said at the National Theatre, when his children sang, it clearly showed that he waited to die and then you (children) come up and fill his space," said Minister Kuteesa.
Pr. Michael Kyazze, who has been Mukulu's friend, narrated that the late lived a private life, and he apologised to those who said that they didn't know of his illness, saying that that's how he lived his life.
Alex Mukulu died on Saturday, August 15, 2026, at Kiruddu Referral Hospital in Makindye Division, Kampala, from liver failure. (Photo by Dickson Kulumba)
Mukulu's family expressed gratitude to government for all its moral and financial support during this trying period.
Gwendolyn Mukulu, the deceased’s daughter, said that their father had passed through trying health moments before and they were sure that this time around he would also go through it.
In attendance were several notable individuals, including Robert Sserwanga, the Minister in charge of youth, sports, and the arts in Buganda Kingdom; Princess Rev. Dan Kajjumba; Hajj Kaddu Kiberu, who funded some of Mukulu’s plays; and Mike Ssebalu, the former Member of Parliament for Busiro East, among others.