President Yoweri Museveni has granted an official burial to the late former Minister of Education and Sports and Woman Member of Parliament for Mpigi District, Hon. Geraldine Namirembe Bitamazire.
The development was confirmed by the Minister of the Presidency, Hon. Milly Babirye Babalanda, through her official X (formerly Twitter) account. Minister Babalanda announced that the National Organising Committee (NOC) is working closely with the family to organise a befitting send-off for the distinguished educationist and public servant.
According to the statement, the official burial is scheduled for Wednesday, January 21, 2026, in Butambala District.
“Dear all, I wish to inform you that His Excellency the President has granted an official burial to the fallen former Minister of Education and Sports and Woman MP for Mpigi District, Hon. Geraldine Namirembe Bitamazire, who passed on last week. Accordingly, the National Organising Committee is liaising with the family of the deceased to organise a befitting send-off for the former distinguished daughter of Uganda,” Babalanda stated, extending condolences to the family, friends, the people of Butambala, and the country at large.
Hon. Bitamazire passed away at the age of 84. The news of her death was first announced by the Director of Engineering and Communication Infrastructure at the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), Ms. Irene Kaggwa Sewankambo, through her X account.
“It is with a heavy heart that I announce the death of my paternal aunt, Hon. Geraldine Namirembe Bitamazire, which occurred yesterday evening,” the statement read. According to the family, she died on Wednesday, January 14, 2026.
Born on July 17, 1941, in Butambala, Gombe, Central Uganda, Geraldine Namirembe Bitamazire devoted her life to public service, education reform, and the empowerment of future generations.
She received her secondary education at Trinity College Nabbingo before joining Makerere University, where she earned a Diploma in Education in 1964, a Bachelor of Arts in 1967, and later a Master of Arts in 1987.
Bitamazire began her professional career as a teacher, serving at Mt. St. Mary’s Namagunga and Tororo Girls School, where she made history as the first African headteacher of Tororo Girls School. Her leadership in education propelled her to national prominence.
Between 1971 and 1973, she served as a Director at the East African Harbours Corporation under the first East African Community. From 1974 to 1979, she worked as a Senior Education Officer in the Ministry of Education and Sports.
In 1979, she was appointed Minister of Education, a position she held until 1980. She later served as Deputy Chairperson of the Teaching Service Commission from 1981 to 1996.
From 1999 to 2005, she served as State Minister for Education before being reappointed Minister of Education and Sports from 2005 to 2011.
She was elected Woman Member of Parliament for Mpigi District in 2001 and served until 2011. Following the creation of Butambala District in 2010, she contested in the NRM primaries ahead of the 2011 general elections but was unsuccessful and was subsequently dropped from Cabinet in the May 2011 reshuffle.
Bitamazire is best remembered for her pivotal role in the introduction and implementation of Universal Primary Education (UPE), earning her the affectionate title “Mama UPE.” Her legacy includes expanding access to education nationwide, revising the primary school curriculum, strengthening tertiary and university education, reforming education laws, improving national examination performance, enhancing teacher training, and expanding school infrastructure.
Beyond Uganda, she served as a member of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (1998–2001), was a founding member of the Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE), a member of the Kajubi Education Policy Review Commission, Chancellor of the Uganda Management Institute, and Africa Region Coordinator of the YMCA.
She was married to Alphonce Bitamazire of the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) and was a loyal member of the National Resistance Movement (NRM).
Widely respected for her decades of service, Hon. Geraldine Namirembe Bitamazire leaves behind a lasting legacy that transformed Uganda’s education sector and advanced women’s leadership both nationally and internationally.
