Published on 12/08/2025
On August 11, 2025, Uganda lost a towering figure in politics and literature, Mary Karooro Okurut, who passed away at 71.
Members of Parliament honored the former Bushenyi District Woman MP and minister, celebrating her as a prolific writer, dedicated public servant, and passionate advocate for education and women’s rights.
Okurut held several high-profile roles, including Cabinet Minister for General Duties in the Office of the Prime Minister, Minister of Security, and Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development from 2012 to 2015. Her political career, which began in 2006, concluded in 2021 after losing her parliamentary seat to Annet Katusiime.
In July 2021, President Museveni appointed her Senior Presidential Advisor on Public Relations, a role she held until her passing. Defence and Veteran Affairs Minister Jacob Oboth hailed her as “one of Uganda’s most distinguished writers,” noting, “Her pen inspired and educated, and her humor and warmth will be deeply missed.”
Tororo District Woman MP Sarah Opendi described Okurut as a mentor and tireless champion for women and girls. “Her passion for empowerment was unmatched. She was a voice we’ve lost,” Opendi said, recalling Okurut’s support for her parliamentary advocacy.
Former Energy Minister Irene Muloni, a close friend, expressed shock at her passing, stating, “Her commitment to Uganda was unwavering. My condolences to her family and the nation.”
A Life of Service and Literary Excellence
Born on December 8, 1954, in Bushenyi District, Okurut attended Bweranyangi Primary and Girls’ Secondary Schools before completing A-levels at Trinity College Nabbingo in 1972. She graduated from Makerere University with a Bachelor of Arts in Literature in 1977, followed by a Master’s degree in 1981 and a Diploma in Education in 1982. She began her career as a lecturer in Makerere’s Department of Literature in 1981.
Okurut’s public service journey started in 1994 as Press Secretary to the Vice President, followed by roles as Commissioner at the Education Service Commission (1996–1999) and Press Secretary to the President (1999–2004). She entered elective politics in 2006, representing Bushenyi District until 2021.
Literary Legacy and Achievements
Okurut was a literary trailblazer, founding the Uganda Women Writers Association (FEMRITE), which gained global recognition and produced Caine Prize winner Monica Arach de Nyeko in 2007. Her notable works include The Invisible Weevil (1998), The Official Wife, and A Woman’s Voice (1998), a collection of short stories by Ugandan women writers. She also authored children’s books and plays, leaving a lasting impact on Ugandan literature.
A member of the Board of Trustees of Valley University of Science and Technology in Bushenyi, Okurut was married to Hon. Stanislaus Okurut until his passing in 2014. They had eight children: five boys and three girls.
Okurut’s legacy as a writer, educator, and public servant continues to inspire, cementing her as a pivotal figure in Uganda’s history.
