Former minister Mary Karooro Okurut Busingye is dead. She was aged 70. Here’s a quick look at the life and times of Mary Karooro Okurut.
Close friends and family members confirmed the dead of Mary Karooro Okurut Busingye in the evening of August 11, 2025.
“With so much pain, grief & sorrow, I announce the death of my ‘bosom buddy’ Mary Karooro Okurut. My literature teacher, my mentor, my very close buddy, my world, my all,” wrote Margaret Muhanga, the junior minister in charge of primary health care.
“So painful to imagine . This is a sting I’ll never forget. May the angels receive her in glory.”
Reports indicated that Mary Karooro Okurut Busingye had been sick for some time. But details about her cause of death were yet to be disclosed.
Here’s a quick look at the profile of Mary Karooro Okurut Busingye:
‘Mary Karooro Okurut Busingye served in several ministerial dockets: security, information, general duties (office of prime minister), as well as gender, labor and social development.
She also previously served as Bushenyi district woman MP until 2021 when she was ejected by Annet Katusiime Mugisha.
Mary Karooro Okurut Busingye was born on December 08, 1954 in Bushenyi District.
She went to Bweranyangi Primary School, Bweranyangi Girls SS and Trinity College Nabbingo.
She would proceed to Makerere University in the year 1974. In 1977, Mary Karooro Okurut Busingye graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in literature.
In 1981, Mary Karooro Okurut earned her master of arts degree in literature, also from Makerere University.
The following year, she pursued a diploma in education from Makerere University.
She lectured at Makerere University’s Department of Literature, starting in 1981.
Some of her creative works included books like The Invisible Weevil, The Official Wife, and The curse of the sacred cow.
It was not until 1993 that Mary Karooro Okurut Busingye left her lecturing job.
From 1994 to 1996, Mary Karooro Okurut serced as press secretary to the vice president of Uganda.
She would later take on the role of commissioner at the Education Service Commission (ESC) from 1996 to 1999.
Karooro would then serve as press secretary to President Museveni from 1999 to 2004.
From then on, Mary Karooro Okurut Busingye became Bushenyi District Woman MP. She replaced Bernadette Bigirwa (RIP).
After losing the NRM primaries and her MP position, Mary Karooro Okurut was one of the ministers Museveni consoled with presidential advisor positions. (See Details Here, There and Over There).
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