The late Mary Busingye Karooro Okurut was born in Bushenyi district in western Uganda. Her father was a headmaster of one of the primary schools of the area. After her A-levels in Trinity College Nabbingo , she joined the only country’s university then , Makerere, for a BA literature degree then pursued a MA degree in literature soon after. In 1981, she then joined Makerere university’s department of literature as a lecturer. Later, she went on to work with the education commission and the Presidential Press unit. From 2004 to 2021, she entered active politics and represented Bushenyi district as the Women’s Member of Parliament. On losing this seat in 2021, she was appointed a presidential advisor in media and public affairs.
Undeniably, Hon. Mary Busingye Karooro Okurut is considered as one of Uganda’s distinguished educationists, author and politician. Our paths would never have crossed if I had not had an inherent passion for the written word which drove me to awaken the sleeping writer in me. I had shelved her during my long dance with motherhood and career development. As my children started joining university one by one, I willed myself to pick up the creative side of myself. After my return from economic exile I met Hon. Mary Karooro Okurut often in the Femrite- organised workshops, seminars and retreats. It was both a privilege and exciting to know her. For her, literature was essential in cultivating and enhancing critical thinking, empathy, helping people to see different perspectives of each situation and developing good communication skills.
As a voracious reader, I had read and been fascinated by her novel : The Invisible Weevil ( 1998) –fiction based on the post-colonial period of Uganda’s history while drawing attention to the political instability and gender concerns of the day.
And the drama one : The Curse of the of The Sacred Cow; talking about the misfortunes that befell the household after they had tampered with the values and beliefs within their culture.
Later, I also came across: A Woman’s Voice – an anthology of twelve short stories told by different women in Uganda, which she had edited and was published by Femrite Publication Limited in 1998. It documents women’s feelings, thoughts and experiences.
Currently, her books are taught in secondary schools and tertiary institutions.
As a lecturer in the department of Literature of Makerere University Kampala , she was distinctly aware of the absence of Ugandan female writers in the literary landscape of Uganda and globally and yet the written word could be as sharp as swords.
She knew that if the Ugandan women were empowered and encouraged to write their stories in their own words, these stories would help shape public opinion and inspire advocacy for gender equality. Such stories usually based on the reality on the ground would also promote women’s education and cause social reform movements about important social issues like identity, relationships, inheritance , dowry and child marriages. Women make up more than fifty percent of our population and still remain the backbone of families and communities in Uganda. They are natural storytellers and custodians of oral narratives. This demands that women’s voices be consistently heard and celebrated.
Driven by her passion for literature, her curiosity, bold confidence, determination and nurturing spirit,
Hon. Mary Karooro Okurut and a few other like- minded women : Ayeta Anne Wangusa, Hilda J. Twongyeirwe, Rosemary Kyarimpa and Dr. Susan N. Kiguli, co-founded the Uganda Women Writers Association : FEMRITE in 1995 and launched it in 1996.
Since then, this sound Platform and launching pad, has supported Ugandan women writers and given them a collective voice as they told their unique stories which themselves became works of catalysts of change addressing collective concerns or overlooked realities.
Having been in economic exile for over twenty five years, I returned to a completely changed literary landscape; no longer male-dominated. We now boast of international writers and poets. In 2007, Monica Arac de Nyeko became the first Ugandan to win the prestigious Caine Prize for African writing for her story Jambula Tree. Other outstanding international writers include: Goretti Kyomuhendo,
Sarah Kiguli, Glaydah Namukasa and many young ones are emerging during this digital era. We also have publishers , editors and bloggers.
The once- silent women are now vocal
The once – unseen are clearly visible and recognised
The unheard are now being listened to attentively.
They are all offering transformative ideas for creating a world that values men and women equally.
They never forget their biggest challenge of consistently creating and nurturing a reading culture in each generation.
“ A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle.’’– James Keller
Their pens and keyboards are at work 24/7.
All this credit first goes back to God who gave these women the gifts and talents of playing with words to create powerful images.
And then to ‘’ Mother hen, Mary Busingye Karooro Okurut, the storyteller from Bushenyi and all the teams she has worked with at FEMRITE for these 29 years of active service.
In the last three years, efforts are also being invested into FEMRITE owning its own home/base: A key Rite of Passage at 29 years of age! In our culture this symbolises maturity, taking on greater responsibility, self-provisioning and Independence.
Thank you most sincerely, Mother hen for ensuring that there is continuity after you. Uganda’s women writers are determined to honour you by carrying on your established legacy in the literary world while creating their own as well.
As Albert Einstein rightly said : “ Creating is contagious , pass it on.’’
Creative works are gifts to the world; like all other authors before you, yours will outlive you and you will be reborn as each generation reads and interprets them.
REST IN ETERNAL PEACE
Mother hen of FEMRITE
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