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Karooro Okurut succumbed from accident
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Bushenyi
Bushenyi District and Uganda at large are mourning the loss of Hon. Mary Karooro Okurut, a prominent political leader, scholar, and advocate for women’s empowerment, who passed away on Monday, August 11, 2025, at Aga Khan Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya. Karooro, 70, suffered severe injuries in a road accident last month while returning from a consultative meeting in Nebbi District, where she had declared her intention to contest for the position of National MP for the Elderly in Uganda’s Parliament. The accident left her with a broken pelvic bone.
She was initially treated at Nakasero Hospital in Kampala before being airlifted to Nairobi for specialized care. In a WhatsApp conversation with a Torch Media Africa journalist on July 14, 2025, Karooro revealed that “nerve pain was still persistent.”
Born on July 8, 1954, in Bwatogo Cell, Central Division, Bushenyi-Ishaka Municipality, Karooro attended Bweranyangi Junior School, Bweranyangi Girls’ Secondary School, and Trinity College Nabbingo before enrolling at Makerere University, where she earned both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Literature. She later served as a lecturer at Makerere University.
Karooro served as Bushenyi District Woman Member of Parliament from 2003 to 2021. During her tenure, she held several key ministerial positions, including Minister of Information, Minister of Gender, Minister of Security, and Minister for General Duties in the Office of the Prime Minister. She also chaired Uganda’s COVID-19 National Task Force. At the time of her death, she was serving as Senior Presidential Advisor on Public Relations.
Beyond politics, Karooro was deeply involved in community development. She was spearheading the construction of a multi-billion-shilling reusable sanitary pads factory in Bushenyi to promote women’s health and economic empowerment. Additionally, she established the Ntambiko Crafts Centre to foster tourism and preserve cultural heritage.
She served as Chairperson of the Bweranyangi Girls’ Secondary School Old Girls Association and co-founded FEMRITE, a literary organization that has empowered countless Ugandan women writers. A Canon in the Church of Uganda, she balanced her spiritual and public service roles with dedication.
In a statement, Bushenyi District Woman MP Hon. Katusiime Annet Mugisha described Karooro as “a distinguished leader whose zeal to serve all people, regardless of background, set an enduring example.”
Hon. Mugisha, who succeeded Karooro in 2021, thanked her for laying a strong foundation for the district’s development and urged residents to emulate her spirit of service, thoughtful leadership, and collaboration.
"On behalf of myself and the people of Bushenyi District, I convey my heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones of Hon. Mary Karoro Okurut, our former Minister and District Woman Member of Parliament for Bushenyi, who passed away in the evening of Monday, 11th August 2025. Hon. Mary was a distinguished leader whose zeal to serve all people—regardless of background—set an enduring example for us all. Her careful analysis of issues, wise collaboration with stakeholders, and unwavering commitment to the development of our district laid a strong foundation on which I am privileged to serve today. I had the honor of succeeding her in 2021 and I remain deeply grateful for the path she paved for the service of the people of Bushenyi. I call upon all residents of Bushenyi to emulate her exemplary spirit—serving in diversity, thinking deeply before acting, and working hand in hand with all partners for the good of our communities. May the Almighty rest her soul in eternal peace."
Hon. Katusiime Annet Mugisha, said.
Rt. Rev. Johnson Twinomujuni, Bishop of West Ankole Diocese, called Karooro “a remarkable daughter of the soil” whose life embodied wisdom, courage, and service. He described her as “a literary giant, a seasoned stateswoman, and a trailblazer whose light will not be dimmed.”
Peace Kansiime Tibigwisa, Coordinator for the Office of the National Chairman (ONC) for Greater Bushenyi, wrote in a WhatsApp group:
“Dear Lord, strengthen our hearts in this trying moment. Strengthen my sister Annette Birora, Moreen, Aunt Kyomu, and the rest. This pain is too hard to contain.”
Torch Media Africa
