Mary Karooro Okurut, a prominent Ugandan politician, author, and advocate for women’s rights and literature, has passed away at the age of 70.
The news of her death was announced on Monday by her longtime friend, State Minister for Primary Health Care Margaret Muhanga.
In a heartfelt post on X (formerly Twitter), Muhanga described Karooro as her mentor, literature teacher, and “bosom buddy.”
“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. So painful to imagine. This is a sting I’ll never forget,” she wrote.
The cause of death was not disclosed at the time of the announcement, and details remain unclear.
Born on December 8, 1954, in Bushenyi District, Karooro was a trailblazer in both Uganda’s political and literary landscapes. She was educated at Bweranyangi Girls’ Senior Secondary School and Trinity College Nabbingo before earning a BA and MA in Literature and a Diploma in Education from Makerere University.
Karooro began her career as a literature lecturer at Makerere University, a role she held for over a decade. She later transitioned to public service, serving as Press Secretary to the Vice-President (1994–1996) and to President Yoweri Museveni (1999–2004).
From 2004 to 2021, she represented Bushenyi District as Woman Member of Parliament. During her tenure, she held various ministerial roles, including Minister of Information and National Guidance, Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Minister for National Security, and Minister for General Duties in the Office of the Prime Minister.
In 2021, she was appointed Senior Presidential Advisor on Public Relations.
Beyond her political career, Karooro was a foundational figure in Ugandan literature. She founded the Uganda Women Writers’ Association (FEMRITE), which has nurtured numerous female writers, including Caine Prize winner Monica Arac de Nyeko.
Her literary works include acclaimed novels such as The Invisible Weevil (1998) and The Official Wife (2003), as well as children’s books and edited anthologies like A Woman’s Voice (1998), a groundbreaking collection of short stories by Ugandan women.
Mary Karooro Okurut was widely admired for her dedication to gender equality, education, and the promotion of Ugandan literature. Her contributions have left a lasting legacy in both public service and the arts.
The family has not yet released an official statement. Funeral and burial arrangements will be announced in due course.
