By David Mwanje
On Monday, August 11, 2025, Uganda bid farewell to a radiant soul, Mary Busingye Karoro Okurut, who slipped into eternity at 70. Born on December 8, 1954, in the rolling hills of Bushenyi District, Mary’s life was a vibrant tapestry of words, wisdom, and unwavering service a legacy that will shimmer through generations.
Mary’s journey began at Bweranyangi Primary School, where her young mind took root. She blossomed through Bweranyangi Girls’ Senior Secondary School and Trinity College Nabbingo, before stepping into the hallowed halls of Makerere University. There, she wove her intellect into a Bachelor’s degree in Literature (1977), a Master’s in the same (1981), and a Diploma in Education (1982). Her love for stories and knowledge wasn’t just a spark it was a flame that would light up countless lives.
In 1981, Mary stepped into Makerere’s Department of Literature as a lecturer, her voice a beacon for students until 1994. But her heart stretched beyond the classroom. She founded FEMRITE, the Uganda Women Writers Association, a sanctuary where women’s voices found wings, soaring into stories that challenged norms and celebrated strength. Her novels, The Invisible Weevil and The Official Wife, danced with wit and truth, while A Woman’s Voice, a collection she edited, amplified the chorus of Ugandan women writers.
Mary’s path wove into politics with grace and grit. From 1994, she served as press secretary to Uganda’s Vice President, later to the President, her words shaping narratives with clarity. In 2004, she stepped into the political arena, becoming the Woman Member of Parliament for Bushenyi District, a role she held with heart until 2020.
Her ministerial journey was a testament to her versatility guiding Gender, Labour, and Social Development (2012–2015), National Security (2015–2016), and General Duties in the Prime Minister’s Office (2016–2021). In 2020, she steered the Covid-19 Government Fund, and by 2021, she stood as Senior Presidential Advisor on Public Relations, her counsel a steady hand.
A fierce champion for women and girls, Mary’s feminism was a quiet fire, burning through her advocacy and action. Her friend, Health State Minister Margaret Muhanga, mourned her as a “bosom buddy” and mentor, her grief shared across Uganda on X: “This is a sting I’ll never forget.” Mary’s eight children carry her light, though her husband, Stanislaus Okurut, passed in 2014.
Mary Karooro Okurut was a weaver of dreams through her pen, her voice, and her service. Her stories will whisper in Uganda’s winds, her courage will echo in its hills, and her love will linger in its hearts. Rest gently, Mary, your legacy is a masterpiece.
