President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has paid glowing tribute to the late Hon. Lay Canon Mary Busingye Karooro Okurut, describing her as a patriotic leader, a loyal cadre, and a dedicated servant of Uganda.
In a message delivered during her burial in Bushenyi District, President Museveni represented by the Deputy Speaker of the Parliament Uganda, expressed deep sorrow at her passing.
He noted that women leaders like Karooro rose to prominence after the NRM government opened space for their participation in leadership, an opportunity denied under previous regimes.
President Museveni praised Hon. Karooro for her outstanding service in various capacities: as a prolific writer, an educator, a mentor, a mobilizer, a legislator, and a public servant in several ministries.
He saluted her for championing Uganda’s socio-economic transformation and pledged that the nation will forever remember her contribution.
In his personal tribute, Deputy Speaker Tayebwa recalled first meeting Hon. Karooro in 1994 while still a Primary Seven pupil at Kigarama Primary School.
At the time, she was traversing villages campaigning to represent Bushenyi in the Constituent Assembly. Her passion and commitment inspired many of us at a tender age.
Throughout her career, Hon. Karooro remained a patriotic and peaceful leader. Even when articulating government positions, she did so calmly, without malice, and with a spirit of respect, even in the face of criticism.
Tayebwa assured Bushenyi District leaders that Parliament will hold a special sitting in her honour, and government will consider their proposal to name a stadium after her.
“I also pledged government support to her family in completing the sanitary pads factory she had begun setting up the first of its kind in Uganda, so that her vision continues to live on”. He said.
Hon. Mary Karooro Okurut will be remembered as a trailblazer, a mentor, and a dedicated servant of the nation.
