Mary Karooro Okurut

Last updated

Mary Karoro Okurut
Mary Karooro Okurut (cropped).jpg
Born (1954-12-08) 8 December 1954 (age 69)
Bushenyi, Uganda
NationalityUgandan
CitizenshipUganda
Alma mater Makerere University
(BA in English Literature)
(MA in English Literature)
(Diploma in Education)
Occupation(s)Author, educator & politician
Years active1981–present
Known forPolitics, Literature
Title Cabinet Minister for General Duties in the Office of the Prime Minister of Uganda
Spouse Stanislaus Okurut (?-2014)

Mary Busingye Karoro Okurut (born 8 December 1954), more commonly known as Mary Karoro Okurut, is a Ugandan educator, author and politician. She is the former Cabinet Minister in Charge of General Duties in the Office of the Prime Minister, in the Ugandan Cabinet. She was appointed to that position on 6 June 2016. [1] Prior to that, from 1 March 2015 until 6 June 2016, she served as Cabinet Minister for National Security. She was appointed to that position on 1 March 2015, replacing Wilson Muruli Mukasa, who was appointed Minister of Gender and Social Issues. [2] Between 2012 and 2015, she served as the Minister of Gender and Social Issues in the Cabinet of Uganda. She was appointed to that position in 2012. She replaced Syda Bumba, who resigned from Cabinet. Mary Karoro Okurut also serves as the elected Member of Parliament for Bushenyi District Women's Constituency. [3] In the 2020 National resistance movement NRM party flag bearer elections, Karooro lost to Annet Katusiime Mugisha who was elected Bushenyi district woman member of parliament in the 2021 Uganda presidential and parliamentary elections. [4] [5] [6] [7] [8]

Contents

Background and education

She was born in Bushenyi District on 8 December 1954. She attended Bweranyangi Primary School and Bweranyangi Girls' Senior Secondary School for her elementary and middle school education, in that order. In 1972, at the age of 18, she entered Trinity College Nabbingo to carry out her high school education. In 1974, she entered Makerere University, graduating in 1977 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Literature (BA.Lit). Three years later, in 1981, she graduated with the degree of Master of Arts in Literature (MA.Lit), also from Makerere University. In 1982, she added the Diploma in Education (Dip.Ed), from the same university. [9]

Work history

Mary Karooro Okurut began lecturing at Makerere, in the Department of Literature in 1981, as soon as she completed her Master's degree. She maintained her status as Lecturer, until 1993. She took up employment as the press secretary to the Vice-President of Uganda from 1994 until 1996. Between 1996 and 1999 she served as Commissioner, Education Service Commission in the Ugandan Ministry of Education. From 1999 until 2004, she served as the press secretary of the President of Uganda. In 2004 she entered elective Ugandan politics. [10] She is currently serving as the woman member of parliament.[ citation needed ]

Literary work

Prior to her political career, Okurut was perhaps best known for her contributions to Ugandan literature both as a writer and as the founder of the Uganda Women Writers Association (FEMRITE), [11] an organisation which has since received international attention and has to date produced one winner of the Caine Prize, Arach Monica de Nyeko, whose story "Jambula Tree" won in 2007. [12]

Karooro Okurut's literary publications include these novels: (a) "The Invisible Weevil" (1998) ( ISBN   9789970901029) and (b) "The Official Wife" ( ISBN   9789970024018). She also edited "A Woman's Voice" (1998) ( ISBN   9789970901036), a collection of short stories by Ugandan women writers. [13]

Political career

In 2004, Mary Karooro Okurut contested for the Bushenyi District Women's Constituency on the National Resistance Movement political party ticket. She won and has represented that constituency in the Parliament of Uganda until today. She served as Minister of Information and National Guidance from May 2011 until May 2013, when she was reassigned to her current docket. [14] In a cabinet reshuffle on 1 March 2015, she was appointed Security Minister. [2] As of April 2020, karoro okurut is the minister for general duties in the office of the prime minister [15]

Personal details

Mary K. Okurut was married to Hon. Stanislaus Okurut until his death on the morning of 5 April 2014; [16] together they had eight children – five boys and three girls. She is of the Protestant faith. [17] [18]

See also

Related Research Articles

Ruth Nankabirwa Ssentamu is a Ugandan politician, who serves as the Minister of Energy and Mineral Development in the Ugandan Cabinet, effective 8 June 2021. Although she told her supporters "If the cows vote, let them vote, I want to get 120%" she lost her seat as Women MP for Kiboga District in January 2021.

Richard Nduhura, sometimes spelled Richard Nduhuura, is a Ugandan politician, diplomat and veterinarian who currently serves as Uganda's Permanent Representative to the United Nations. He was appointed to that position in August 2012. Prior to that, he served as State Minister for Health in the Ugandan Cabinet. He was appointed to that position on 1 June 2006. In the cabinet reshuffle of 16 February 2009, and that of 27 May 2011, he retained his cabinet post.

Trinity College Nabbingo (TRICONA), is an all-girls boarding school covering grades 8–13 in Central Uganda.

FEMRITE – Uganda Women Writers' Association, founded in 1995, is an NGO based in Kampala, Uganda, whose programmes focus on developing and publishing women writers in Uganda and—more recently—in the East African region. FEMRITE has likewise expanded its concerns to East African issues regarding the environment, literacy, education, health, women's rights and good governance.

Violet Barungi is a Ugandan writer and editor. She has edited several publications published by FEMRITE. Her published books include the novel Cassandra. She has worked as a book Production Officer at the East African Literature Bureau (1972–77), senior Book Production Officer at Uganda Literature Bureau (1978–94) and an editor at FEMRITE.

Mariam Najjemba Mbabaali, formerly known as Rosemary Najjemba Muyinda is a Ugandan politician. She served as the State Minister for Urban Planning in the Ugandan Cabinet from 15 August 2012, until 6 June 2016, when she was dropped from cabinet. In the cabinet, she replaced Justine Lumumba Kasule, who was appointed Government Chief Whip. Najjemba served as the elected Member of Parliament for Gomba County, Gomba District on the National Resistance Movement (NRM) political party ticket, for two consecutive terms, from 2006 until 2016.

Ida Erios Nantaba is a Ugandan politician. She was the State Minister in the Uganda Ministry of Information and Communications Technology. She was appointed to that position on 6 June 2016. Prior to that, from 15 August 2012 until 6 June 2016, she was Minister of State for Lands in the Cabinet of Uganda. Nantaba is also the elected Member of Parliament for Women in Kayunga District Constituency.

Sarah Ndoboli Kataike is a Ugandan politician. She is the current State Minister for Luweero Triangle, in the Cabinet of Uganda. She was appointed to that position on 25 July 2013. Prior to that, from 15 August 2012 until 25 July 2013, she served as the State Minister of Health for General Duties. She replaced Richard Nduhura, who was appointed Uganda's Ambassador to the United Nations. She is also the elected Member of Parliament for Budaka District Women's Constituency on the National Resistance Movement (NRM) political party ticket.

Bweranyangi Girls' Secondary School is a girls-only boarding middle and high school in Bushenyi District in the Western Region of Uganda.

Jacqueline Susan Ruhindi Mbabazi is a Ugandan educator, politician and businesswoman. She is the wife of the former prime minister of Uganda, Amama Mbabazi. She also serves as the Chairperson of the Women's League in the National Resistance Movement (NRM), the ruling political party in Uganda.

Lillian Tindyebwa is a Ugandan writer living in Kampala. She is the author of numerous books, notably the novel Recipe for Disaster, published in 1994 as part of the Fountain youth series. She is a founding member of FEMRITE, and the founder of Uganda Faith Writers Association.

Stanislaus Okurut was a Ugandan politician. He served as the Minister of Sports from 1986 to 1986, as well as separate tenures as the Minister of Labour and the Minister of Transport.

Chris Baryomunsi is a Ugandan physician, public health specialist, demographer, and politician. He is the Minister for ICT and National Guidance in the Cabinet of Uganda. He was appointed to that position in 2021. From 1 March 2015 until 6 June 2016, he served as State Minister of Health for General Duties.

Beti Olive Namisango Kamya-Turomwe, also known as Betty Kamya and Beti Kamya, is a businesswoman and politician in Uganda, the third-largest economy in the East African Community. She is the Inspector General of Government in Uganda, since 16 July 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Esther Mbulakubuza Mbayo</span> Ugandan politician (born 1971)

Esther Mbulakubuza Mbayo, is a Ugandan politician. She is the Minister of the Presidency in the Ugandan Cabinet. She was appointed to that position on 6 June 2016, replacing Frank Tumwebaze, who was appointed Ministry of Information Information Technology and Communication. She also serves in the Parliament of Uganda, as the Luuka District Women's Representative.

Grace Freedom Kwiyucwiny, also Grace Kwiyucwiny, is a Ugandan politician who serves as the State Minister for Northern Uganda in the Ugandan Cabinet. She was appointed to that position on 6 June 2016. She also served as the woman Member of Parliament representing the Zombo District.

Harriet Ntabazi is a Ugandan politician. She is the current Minister of State for Trade at the Ministry of Trade industry and Cooperatives.Between 2011 and 2016, she served as the Women's Representative for Bundibugyo in the Parliament of Uganda.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anita Among</span> Ugandan lawyer, accountant and politician, Speaker of the 11th Parliament 2022-2026

Anita Annet Among is a Ugandan accountant, lawyer and politician who is the Speaker of the 11th Parliament of Uganda since 2022. She also concurrently serves as the elected member of parliament for the Bukedea District Women Constituency, the same position she held in the 10th Parliament (2016–2021). She was in FDC party before she joined the ruling NRM where she was voted as the Deputy Speaker of the 10th Parliament. She is named in the torture complaint against the Ugandan government that was submitted with the International Criminal Court.

Naome Kibaaju is a Ugandan management personnel and a politician in the 10th Parliament of Uganda. She is the woman member of parliament of Sheema County North, Sheema District. She belongs to the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) political party.

Annet Katusiime Mugisha is a Ugandan politician. She serves as a member of the 11th Parliament of Uganda, representing the Bushenyi District.

References

  1. ↑ Uganda State House (6 June 2016). "Museveni's new cabinet list At 6 June 2016" (PDF). Daily Monitor . Kampala. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
  2. 1 2 Uganda State House (1 March 2015). "Full Cabinet List As At 1 March 2015" (PDF). Daily Monitor . Kampala. Retrieved 1 March 2015.
  3. ↑ "Parliament of Uganda". www.parliament.go.ug. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  4. ↑ Reporter, NELSON MANDELA | PML Daily (4 September 2020). "CONFIRMED! Minister Karooro concedes defeat after being uprooted by Annet Mugisha". PML Daily. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  5. ↑ "Long-serving ministers lose NRM primary polls". Daily Monitor. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  6. ↑ "Big winners, losers in NRM primaries". Daily Monitor. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  7. ↑ "BUSHENYI: Minister Karooro Defeated by Katusiime in NRM Primaries". ChimpReports. 4 September 2020. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  8. ↑ "Ministers lose miserably as voters seek new blood in NRM primaries". Nile Post. 5 September 2020. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  9. ↑ "Mary Karooro Okurut: Woman Representative Bushenyi District". Parliament of Uganda. Archived from the original on 23 February 2014. Retrieved 10 April 2014.
  10. ↑ "Mary Karooro Okurut: Work History 1981 to 2004". Parliament of Uganda. Archived from the original on 13 April 2014. Retrieved 10 April 2014.
  11. ↑ "History of FEMRITE". Uganda Women Writers' Association. Retrieved 10 August 2014.
  12. ↑ "FEMRITE Achievements and Milestones". Uganda Women Writers' Association. Retrieved 10 April 2014.
  13. ↑ "Books Authored or Edited by Mary Karooro Okurut". African Books Collective. Retrieved 10 April 2014.
  14. ↑ "Mary B. Karooro Okurut". Public Relations Association of Uganda (PRAU). Archived from the original on 24 February 2014. Retrieved 10 April 2014.
  15. ↑ "Office of the prime minister General duties". Office of the prime minister. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
  16. ↑ "Minister Karooro Okurut's husband mourned". New Vision. Retrieved 10 March 2022.
  17. ↑ Musisi, Frederic (5 April 2014). "Former Transport minister, Stanislaus Okurut Is Dead". Daily Monitor. Retrieved 10 April 2014.
  18. ↑ Karugaba, Mary (9 April 2014). "MPs Pay Tribute to Stanislaus Okurut". New Vision. Retrieved 10 April 2014.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.