President Yoweri Museveni has granted an official burial to the late Canon Mary Karooro Busingye Okurut—former Minister, Woman MP for Bushenyi District, academician, author, and Presidential Advisor on Public Relations.
The announcement was made by Milly Babalanda, the Minister for the Presidency, who noted that the National Organizing Committee will convene to coordinate final arrangements in consultation with the family.
“Deep commiserations to the family, relatives, in-laws, the people of Bushenyi and Teso, the Government, Church of Uganda, the NRM party, and Ugandans at large on the loss of such a gifted and patriotic citizen who met her fate in the line of serving the motherland,” Babalanda stated.
Mary Karooro Okurut’s passing was initially announced by Margaret Muhanga, the State Minister for Primary Healthcare, in a heartfelt tribute.
“With so much pain, grief, and sorrow, I announce the death of my ‘bosom buddy’ Mary Karoro Okurut. My literature teacher, my mentor, my very close buddy, my world, my all. So painful to imagine. This is a sting I’ll never forget. May the angels receive her in glory,” Muhanga shared.
Karooro Okurut was a respected educator, author, and politician whose decades-long career left an indelible mark on Uganda’s political and social landscape.
She most recently served as Cabinet Minister in Charge of General Duties in the Office of the Prime Minister, a position she held from June 6, 2016. Prior to that, she was Minister for National Security from March 1, 2015, succeeding Wilson Muruli Mukasa.
From 2012 to 2015, she served as Minister of Gender and Social Issues, following the resignation of Syda Bbumba. In each of these roles, she was known for her strong leadership, dedication to women’s empowerment, and commitment to national development.
Karooro Okurut also represented the Bushenyi District Women’s Constituency in Parliament, where she was a passionate advocate for her community and a role model to aspiring female leaders.
In the 2020 NRM party primaries, she lost the party flag to Annet Katusiime Mugisha, who subsequently won the seat in the 2021 general elections.
Mary Karooro Okurut will be remembered as a trailblazer in politics and education. Her legacy as a mentor, leader, and visionary will continue to inspire generations to come.
