For a man who spent his life creating unforgettable characters on stage, perhaps the most powerful story Alex Mukulu ever told was not written in a script.
It was hidden in a simple answer about friendship, death and the afterlife.
During a private conversation with the veteran Ugandan theatre icon, I once asked him a deeply personal question:“If you died, which person would you want to meet first in the afterlife?”
Without hesitation, Mukulu smiled and answered:“Philly Bongole Lutaaya.”
The response was followed by laughter, but behind that moment was a lifetime of memories, loyalty and an extraordinary friendship that began long before fame found either man.
Today, following Mukulu’s death, those words have gained a new meaning.
They have become a final window into the heart of a man who was celebrated by the public as a theatre legend but privately remained a friend who never forgot the people who walked with him before the world knew their names.
The Friendship Before Fame
Long before Alex Mukulu became one of Uganda’s most respected playwrights and directors, and before Philly Bongole Lutaaya became a musical icon, they were simply two young men chasing dreams.
Their friendship was built in the early years of their lives, before celebrity, wealth and recognition.
The two are remembered as childhood friends who shared experiences around Namirembe, including a period when they lived under the same roof.
They knew each other before the applause.
Before Mukulu’s powerful theatre productions challenged society, and before Lutaaya’s songs became anthems across Uganda, they were young artists learning, struggling and dreaming together.
That foundation created a bond that survived decades.
Two Legends, One Journey
Although their creative paths later took different directions, their purpose remained connected.
Philly Bongole Lutaaya used music to touch emotions and address social issues.
Alex Mukulu used theatre to question society, challenge leaders and reflect Uganda’s realities.
One carried messages through songs.The other carried messages through drama.
But both believed art was more than entertainment.For them, art was a tool to educate, inspire and preserve history.
Standing Beside Philly During His Darkest Days
The bond between the two men became even more significant during Philly Bongole Lutaaya’s final years.
At a time when HIV/AIDS carried heavy stigma and fear, Lutaaya made the courageous decision to publicly reveal his condition.
He used his influence to educate Ugandans, fight discrimination and encourage people living with HIV/AIDS.Mukulu stood with him during that difficult chapter.
In 1989, Mukulu accompanied Lutaaya during his final public campaign and journey from Uganda to Brussels. At the time, Mukulu was working on a documentary about Lutaaya’s life.
Later that year, Uganda lost one of its greatest musical voices.
But for Mukulu, Philly never truly left.For years, he continued speaking about his friend’s contribution to Ugandan music and the impact of his work.
The Question That Revealed Alex Mukulu’s Heart
The public saw Alex Mukulu as the bold theatre personality — the man with a powerful voice, unique dressing style and fearless commentary on society.
But that simple question about death revealed another side of him.
When asked about eternity, he did not mention a president, a celebrity or another famous figure.
He mentioned his childhood friend.
Philly Bongole Lutaaya.
It was an answer that showed that, beneath the celebrated artist, was a man who valued loyalty, history and friendship.
The world knew Alex Mukulu the icon.
But in that moment, he was simply Alex — a friend longing to see Philly again.
The Man Behind the Theatre Curtain
Alex Mukulu leaves behind a remarkable artistic legacy.
He was a playwright, director, actor, musician and social commentator whose works shaped Uganda’s cultural landscape.
Among his celebrated productions were 30 Years of Bananas, Wounds of Africa, Guest of Honour, Dances with Poverty, Excuse Me Mzungu and Journey to Self-Realisation.
His famous play, 30 Years of Bananas, examined Uganda’s political and social journey after independence, while Journey to Self-Realisation was performed during the opening ceremony of the 2007 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Kampala.
Even in his later years, Mukulu remained creatively active, returning to the stage in 2024 with Kulunkalu ne Kulumbisi, an African adaptation of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.
Age never silenced his artistic voice.
Curtain Call for a Legend
The curtain has finally fallen on Alex Mukulu.
Uganda has lost a cultural giant, but history will remember not only the plays he created, but also the friendships he treasured.
Rest in peace, Alex Mukulu.
May you finally meet Philly again.
May the curtain rest gently on the maestro.
