By Ritah Atukwatse,
KAMPALA,
Uganda is mourning the passing of Mary Busingye Karooro Okurut, a celebrated educator, author, and politician, who died on Monday at the age of 70.
Karooro, widely known as Mary Karooro Okurut, served in several key government positions, including Cabinet Minister in Charge of General Duties in the Office of the Prime Minister from 2016 until her retirement from active politics. Before that, she was Minister for National Security (2015–2016) and Minister of Gender and Social Issues (2012–2015).
She was also the elected Woman Member of Parliament for Bushenyi District, a role she held for several years. However, in the 2020 NRM party primaries, she lost the party flag to Annet Katusiime Mugisha, who later became the district’s woman MP in the 2021 general elections.
Born on December 8, 1954, in Bushenyi District, Karooro was a graduate of Makerere University and the founder of the Uganda Women Writers Association (Femrite), an organisation that has nurtured and empowered female writers across the country.
Beyond politics, Karooro was celebrated for her literary works, advocacy for women’s rights, and commitment to education.
