President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has granted an official burial to the late former Minister of Education and Sports, Geraldine Namirembe Bitamazire, in recognition of her distinguished service to the nation.
The announcement was made by the Minister for the Presidency, Milly Babirye Babalanda, through her X (formerly Twitter) account on Monday.
She stated that the National Organising Committee (NOC) is working closely with the family of the deceased to ensure a befitting send-off for the fallen stateswoman.
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"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 Mpigi District, Geraldine Namirembe Bitamazire, who passed on last week.
Accordingly, the National Organising Committee (NOC) is liaising with the family of the deceased in organising a befitting sendoff for the former distinguished daughter of Uganda slated for this Wednesday, January 21, 2026 in Butambala district. Condolences to the family, friends, people of Butambala and the country at large. May her soul rest in eternal peace," she wrote.
Bitamazire passed away on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at the age of 84.
Born on July 17, 1941, in Butambala, Gombe, in Central Uganda, Geraldine Namirembe Bitamazire was a towering figure in Uganda's education and political landscape.
She received her formal education at Trinity College Nabbingo and later at Makerere University, where she earned a Diploma in Education, a Bachelor of Arts, and subsequently a Master of Arts degree.
She began her professional career as a teacher at Mt. St. Mary's Namagunga and Tororo Girls School, where she made history by becoming the first African headteacher of Tororo Girls School--an achievement that marked the beginning of her illustrious national leadership journey.
Her public service record spans several decades. She served as Director of the East African Harbours Corporation (1971-1973), Senior Education Officer in the Ministry of Education (1974-1979), and Minister of Education (1979-1980).
She later held the position of Deputy Chairperson of the Teaching Service Commission (1981-1996), State Minister for Education (1999-2005), and Minister of Education and Sports (2005-2011).
In elective politics, Bitamazire was elected Woman Member of Parliament for Mpigi District in 2001, a seat she held until 2011.
Bitamazire is widely remembered for her pivotal role in the introduction and implementation of Universal Primary Education (UPE), a transformative policy that greatly expanded access to education across Uganda. Her contribution to this landmark reform earned her the affectionate and enduring title "Mama UPE."
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Beyond Uganda, she served on the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, was a founding member of the Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE), and later served as Chancellor of the Uganda Management Institute (UMI).
Bitamazire was married to the late Alphonce Bitamazire of the Uganda People's Defence Force (UPDF) and was a loyal cadre of the National Resistance Movement (NRM).
She is survived by seven children three daughters and four sons and at least ten grandchildren.
A Requiem Mass will be celebrated today, Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at Lubaga Cathedral, starting at 10:00 a.m., followed by a vigil at the family home in Butambala.
She will be laid to rest on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at Butambala-Kibugga, Masaka, with burial rites beginning with Holy Mass at 10:00 a.m.
Since news of her passing broke, tributes have poured in from government leaders, educationists, former students, and ordinary Ugandans, all hailing Bitamazire as a trailblazer, mentor, and selfless public servant whose legacy will continue to shape Uganda's education sector for generations.
