By Ivan Mwine
The Katikiro of Buganda kingdom Owek. Charles Peter Mayiga and other Ugandans are mourning the untimely demise of legendary drama actor Joseph Ssemakula Ndugwa, who was popularly known as Omugave Ndugwa, who was based in the United States of America.
According to sources in America, Ndugwa died on Thursday night after being bedridden for a long time.
Ndugwa’s death was confirmed by Katikiro Mayiga, who eulogized him thus in a statement on social media;
“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 Mugave Ndugwa now the late, that we got renowned actors and actresses like
Abby Mukiibi
Mariam Ndagire
Ashraf Semwogerere
Kato Lubwama
Nsirikidde Robert
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.”
Meanwhile, we have established that the Ugandan community in the USA is very saddened by the loss of Ndugwa, who was one of the pillars in the diaspora.
Omugave Ndugwa, considered by many as the father of local popular drama, was the founder and director of the Black Pearls drama company.
He left for the U.S in 1998 after he failed to secure the management of the now defunct Pearl Theatre following several years of pulling ropes with the government.
