Social critic, Frank Gashumba has expressed regret over what he described as his failure to do more to help distinguished Ugandan drama actor Alex Mukulu during his final days.
Mukulu, a respected figure in Uganda’s theatre and drama industry, died last weejk at Kiruddu Hospital in Kampala due to liver complications. He will be buried today in Gayaza.
Speaking to Bbeg Media during an interview at his office, Gashumba said he first became aware that Mukulu was seriously ill while the actor was receiving treatment at Lubaga Hospital.
Gashumba said Mukulu recognised him when he visited him at the hospital and that the two briefly spoke.
“I first knew about his poor medical condition while he was still admitted at Lubaga Hospital. He managed to identify me and we talked. Little did I know that his life was getting to an end,” Gashumba said.
According to Gashumba, only a small number of people were around Mukulu during his admission at Lubaga Hospital. He said these included a nurse and some of the actor’s close aides, one of whom he identified only by the nickname “Pastor”.
Gashumba said he later learnt that Mukulu had been discharged from Lubaga Hospital and that, according to information he received from the family, the actor was expected to undergo a medical review in Namugongo.
He said he was concerned that he was not kept informed about Mukulu’s condition after the actor left Lubaga Hospital.
Gashumba also questioned the level of medical care Mukulu received during his illness. [WATCH VIDEO]
He said he believed that, given Mukulu’s contribution to Uganda’s drama industry, his family and friends should have considered seeking specialist medical care where appropriate.
He compared Mukulu’s situation with the treatment arrangements sometimes made for senior government officials and other prominent Ugandans who receive specialist care in Uganda or abroad.
He said Mukulu’s relatives and friends should have done more to protect the legacy of a man he described as an important figure in Uganda’s entertainment industry.
Gashumba also raised concerns about the role of religious advice in decisions about medical treatment.
He said some religious leaders sometimes encourage sick people to concentrate heavily on prayer when they also need professional medical care.
He particularly referred to one of Mukulu’s confidants, whom he identified as “Pastor”, and said he believed the man had encouraged the actor to focus on prayer as part of his recovery.
He said prayer and medical treatment should not be presented as competing choices, arguing that people facing serious illnesses should seek appropriate medical attention while also relying on their faith if they choose to do so.
He said Mukulu’s death should prompt Ugandans to think more seriously about how they support elderly, sick and vulnerable people, particularly those who have spent much of their lives contributing to society.
Mukulu was widely known for his contribution to Ugandan theatre and drama especially for his play, 30 Years of Bananas, released in 1992.
