From the late 1970s to date, the name Mary Karooro Okurut has been worth to reckon with, through lecture rooms, class rooms, newspapers, political spectra, parliament, cabinet, social life and theatre and the brand NRM.
As the Brand Winnie Byanyima, Miria Matembe, Cecilia Ogwal, and the Ilk held the stage of Gender activism, Karooro joined the dance courtesy of the death of the strong Bushenyi women Voice in Hon Bernadette Bigirwa not as an underdog.
She sacrificed her life at the time which was like committing suicide to speak for the NRM whose popularity in the elite Ugandans was waning making her hated and liked almost in the same measure. Her voice for the woman was never heard well as most associated her with the NRM.
At her death she was competing for the National Female Elderly Member of Parliament flag. Her death on Monday, August 11, 2025 at Aga Khan Hospital in Nairobi is associated with injuries gotten from an accident on a trip from Northern Uganda where she met delegates for her campaigns.
She had only this year resigned from a position given to her as a replacement of a ministerial position he held for over 15 years. Only dropped after losing election for Bushenyi woman MP to Ms Annet Mugisha in 2021.
According a close family associate, Ms Karooro was only aided out of the country by a friend Dr Hajji Hassan Basajjabalaba to Nairobi for treatment who also has paid expenses for treatment and body back to the country.
“It’s like she has never worked for government, we have tried to have her in parliament but no one is listening, we are trying to reach out for government to have official sendoff but it’s like government is not working. Even an official statement on her death is missing. Its Hassan who is doing everything yet she worked for this government all her time.” A family member said.
One of special ministers who served president Museveni directly especially as Press secretary before becoming an MP, she was dedicated to the NRM cause, which to many is a great betrayer. She held several ministerial positions.
- Minister of Information and National Guidance (2011–2012)
- Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development (2012–2015)
- Minister for Security (2015–2016)
- Minister for General Duties, Office of the Prime Minister (2016–2021)
She also served at different commissions of government including education service commission as commissioner. In Bushenyi where she is born, she was held with high esteem and was at one time the King maker of politics and service.
Born on July 12, 1954 in Bwatogo Cell, Central Division, Bushenyi-Ishaka Municipality, Karooro’s academic journey began at Bweranyangi Junior School and Bweranyangi Girls’ Secondary School, before completing her A-Levels at Trinity College Nabbingo in 1973.
She later attended Makerere University, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Literature (1977), a Master of Arts in Literature (1981), and a Diploma in Education (1982). She lectured in the Department of Literature at Makerere University from 1981 to 1993, mentoring generations of students.
Okurut was also a celebrated author, with works including The Invisible Weevil, The Official Wife, The Curse of the Sacred Cow (explaining the foundation of lake Nyabihoko in Ntungamo), The Switch, The Man Who Ate His Eye, and The Adventurous Sisters. She co-founded FEMRITE (Uganda Women Writers Association), edited A Woman’s Voice, and was a columnist for New Vision until July 2025. She wrote several columns in newspapers advancing the voice of female writers and mentoring many.
The burial program drawn by the family has no government involvement. Government has been silent that even her death seems a simple family issue like she worked for President Amin or Obote then. Not For Basajjabalaba, she may have died in a hospital in Nebbi.
- Wednesday, August 13: Body arrives at Entebbe Airport, received by family and close friends.
- Thursday, August 14: Vigil at the late’s home on Ntinda-Bukoto Road.
- Friday, August 15: Church service at All Saints Cathedral, Nakasero; subsequent airlift to Bushenyi for service at St. Peter’s Cathedral and vigil at her ancestral home.
- Saturday, August 16: Burial ceremony with prayers at 11:00 am and final send-off at 2:00 pm at her final resting place in Bwatogo, Bushenyi District.
Rest in Peace writing Icon, politician, king maker and philanthropist who made Bushenyi women come from the kitchen.
