Halima Namakula mourns loss of Uganda Theatre legend Omugave Joseph Ndugwa Semakula

Halima Namakula took to her social media pages in mourning the loss of a legendary actor, scriptwriter and composer. She recounts his great plays that attracted huge audiences to the National Theatre to full capacity. The actress reveals that she was one of the numerous talents he mentored back in the day.

Some of Ndugwa's theatre plays include Obulamu bwa Sembilige, Wasajja, the widely famous Wasajja mu bizinga bye Ssese, Nsalala no Mukwano, Galimpitawa, among others.

Omugave Ndugwa during the Kinyomo Clan ceremony Pulse

Namakula is joined by the Uganda Performing Arts community in mourning the death of the theatre legend. Notably, singer and theatre director Mariam Ndagire, who broke the news of Ndugwa's passing, and actor Abby Mukiibi who is also a relative of the deceased.

The Late was the founder Black Pearls drama company and Riverside theatre under which he directed numerous plays and mentored many theatre talents who have dominated the Uganda Arts industry.

Omugave Joseph Ndugwa Pulse

In 2012, Ndugwa directed, scripted and appeared in "Love Collision", a drama which features Halima Namakula, her son Hemdee Kiwanuka, Susan Basemera, among others.

Joseph Ndugwa and Archbishop John Baptist Odama of Gulu Pulse

“Ugandan theater has lost a legend in Omugave Ndugwa formerly of Black Pearls, which was based at the former Riverside theater behind Kisekka market. It’s from Omugave Ndugwa now the late, that we got renowned actors and actresses like Abby Mukiibi, Mariam Ndagire, Ashraf Semwogerere, Kato Lubwama, Jennifer Busuulwa, Paddy Kabuuza, Sarah Mukasa etc. We shall forever miss your creativity, your talent, your parental advice, your smartness and your smile. Till we meet again…. REST IN PEACE OMUGAVE NDUGWA,” said the prime minister of Buganda Kingdom Owek. Charles Peter Mayiga.

Preparations are underway to return his body to the country and burial arrangements will be communicated in due time.