Joseph Semakula Ndugwa, commonly known as Omugave Ndugwa, was a Ugandan writer. With over 40 years of experience in Uganda's arts industry, Ndugwa was an author, script director, producer, and actor who wrote over 30 plays, 300 poems, and a couple of films.[1]
Ndugwa, in 1969, joined the Jinja Dramatics Society (JDS) and, in 1971, the Kampala Negro Angels.[2]
In 1978, after leaving the Negro Angels, he co-founded the Black Pearls with Omulagira John Kayondo and others.[2] Ndugwa's long-time friend, Edrisa Wankalubo Simwogerere, supported the group's establishment by providing resources.[2]
After a challenging period in the late 1990s, Ndugwa returned to Uganda from the U.S. in 2000, reviving and renaming the Riverside theatre as The Pearl theatre.[2][3] However, evolving audience preferences and logistical issues resulted in declining popularity, leading to Ndugwa's eventual retreat and the venue's transformation into a motor vehicle spare parts shop.[2]
During his career, he produced multiple notable works, including Obulamu Bwa Sambirige and Office Njerere.[2]
Before his death, he had embarked on movie production, a chapter he began in 2013 with a film version of his 1988 play “Emikwano nsi” which he directed and co-produced with Hemdee Kiwanuka.[1]
Ndugwa was suffering from prostate cancer and died on June 9, 2022.[1][2][4][5][6]