KAMPALA UGANDA: 3 August 2025 – In a press statement issued by the Minister for the Presidency, the Government of Uganda announced that Hon. Canon Mary Busingye Karooro Okurut will be accorded an official burial, as directed by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. The government also praised her as an “illustrious champion of affirmative action”.
Hon. Canon Mary Karooro Okurut passed away on Monday, August 11, 2025, at Aga Khan Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya. She was remembered as a distinguished leader, patriot, educator, writer, and advocate for women’s empowerment. The government has formed a National Organizing Committee, chaired by the Minister for Presidency, Hon. Milly Babirye Babalanda, along with family representatives, to oversee the funeral arrangements.
Her legacy includes a long career in public service and politics. She served as a Press Secretary to the Vice President in 1993, and later as the Private Press Secretary to President Museveni from 2001 to 2004. She was a Member of Parliament for the Bushenyi District Woman Parliamentary seat from 2006 to 2021. During her parliamentary tenure, she held several ministerial positions, including Minister of Information and National Guidance (2011–2012), Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development (2012–2015), Minister for Security (2015–2016), and Minister for General Duties, Office of the Prime Minister (2016–2021). In April 2020, she was appointed by the President to lead Uganda’s COVID-19 National Task Force. At the time of her death, she had retired as Senior Presidential Advisor on Public Relations.
Karooro Okurut was also a prolific writer who authored several books, including “The Invisible Weevil” (1998). She was a co-founder of FEMRITE (Uganda Women Writers Association) and served as its chairperson. She also served as a columnist for the New Vision, with her last article appearing on July 22, 2025.
The official burial will include a gun salute, which will be overseen by the Uganda Police Force on Saturday, August 16, 2025. The government will also provide security at all venues. A tentative program for the burial proceedings has been released:
* Wednesday, August 13, 2025: The body will arrive at Entebbe Airport from Nairobi and will be taken to a funeral home.
* Thursday, August 14, 2025: A vigil will be held at her home on Ntinda-Bukoto Road.
* Friday, August 15, 2025: A church service will be held at All Saints Cathedral, Nakasero, followed by a service at St. Peters’ Cathedral, Bweranyangi-Bushenyi, after which the body will be airlifted to Bushenyi District. A vigil will then take place at her ancestral home in Bwatogo, Bushenyi District.
* Saturday, August 16, 2025: The burial ceremony will take place at her final resting place in Bwatogo, Bushenyi District, with prayers starting at 11:00 am and the final send-off at 2:00 pm.
