President Yoweri Museveni has accorded an official burial to the late Canon Mary Karooro Busingye Okurut, the former Minister, Bushenyi District Woman MP, academician, author, and Presidential Advisor on Public Relations.
Minister for the Presidency Milly Babalanda announced the decision, saying the National Organizing Committee will work with the family to finalise arrangements.
“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.
News of Karooro Okurut’s death was first shared by State Minister for Primary Healthcare Margaret Muhanga in an emotional 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 said.
Karooro Okurut was a distinguished educator and politician whose career spanned decades. She served as Cabinet Minister in Charge of General Duties in the Office of the Prime Minister from June 2016, Minister for National Security from March 2015, and Minister of Gender and Social Issues from 2012.
She also represented Bushenyi District as Woman MP, where she championed women’s empowerment and community development. In the 2020 NRM primaries, she lost the party flag to Annet Katusiime Mugisha, who later won the seat in 2021.
Her legacy as a mentor, leader, and advocate for education and women’s rights remains an enduring inspiration.
