By Weswa Ronnie
NATIONAL
Senior Presidential advisor on public relations who also served as minister in charge of general duties in the office of the prime minister as well as former Woman Member of Parliament representing Bushenyi district Mary Karooro Okurut has passed on.
According to her longtime friend and State Minister for Health, Margaret Muhanga, Okurut died in the night on Monday, 11th August, 2025.
She broke broke the sad news on X saying, “With so much pain, grief and sorrow, I announce the death of my friend Mary Karooro Okurut. My literature teacher, mentor and close friend”
In the same vein, Captain Mike Mukula, the Eastern Region NRM National Vice Chairman mourned the academic who was also married to Teso’s Stanslus Okurut.
“We mourn the loss of Hon. Mary Karooro Okurut — a treasured friend, patriot, and true NRM cadre. Her pen inspired, her voice empowered, and her life’s work advanced women’s emancipation. Uganda has lost a daughter of substance. May her soul rest in eternal peace,” writes Mukula on his X-Account.
She was born on 8th/12/1954 in Bushenyi and got married to the late Okurut who passed away on 5th/04/2014.
The late studied at Bweranyangi for both Primary and Secondary
She then went to Trinity College, Nabbingo for A level in 1972 before joining Makerere University in 1974 for a degree in Literature in Education. She did her Masters Degree in 1981.
In 1981 she stated teaching at Makerere University Literature department.
In 1994 she served as press secretary in the Vice President’s Office then from 1996 to 1999 as commissioner in Education Service Commission.
In 1999 she was appointed as press secretary at office of the president until 2004 when she resigned to contest for Woman Member of Parliament representing Bushenyi on National Resistance Movement NRM ticket.
In 2006, she lost the flag to Annette Katusiime Mugisha.
She served as Minister for Gender, Labour and Social Development from 2012 and was later appointed as security minister until 2016.
In 2016, she worked as general duties minister in the office of the president.
In 2021 president Museveni appointment her as presidential advisor on public relations, a position she has been serving until her death on the night of Monday, 11th August, 2025. The cause of death has not yet been revealed.
