Former education minister Namirembe Bitamazire dies at 84
Uganda is mourning the death of former Minister of Education and Sports Geraldine Namirembe Bitamazire, a veteran educationist and public servant whose work shaped the country’s education system for decades. She died on January 14, 2026, at the age of 84.
Born on July 17, 1941, in Butambala District, Bitamazire was raised with a strong passion for education that defined her life and career. She attended Trinity College Nabbingo for her secondary education before joining Makerere University, where she earned a Diploma in Education, a Bachelor of Arts, and later a Master of Arts.
She began her professional journey as a classroom teacher and quickly rose through the ranks due to her leadership and commitment to academic excellence. She taught at Mt. St. Mary’s Namagunga and later made history as the first African headteacher of Tororo Girls School, a milestone in Uganda’s education sector.
Bitamazire later joined public administration, serving as a Senior Education Officer in the Ministry of Education. In 1979, she was appointed Minister of Education, a position she held until 1980. She returned to the education ministry years later, first as State Minister and then as full Minister of Education and Sports from 2005 to 2011.
She also served as the Woman Member of Parliament for Mpigi District from 2001 to 2011, representing her constituents while continuing to advocate for education reform at national level.
One of her most significant achievements was her role in the implementation and expansion of Universal Primary Education. The policy removed school fees for primary education and opened access to schooling for millions of Ugandan children. Her contribution to this reform earned her the widely used title “Mama UPE.”
Beyond government, Bitamazire served on several national and international bodies. She was a member of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women and a founding member of the Forum for African Women Educationalists. She also participated in key education policy review commissions and later served as Chancellor of the Uganda Management Institute.
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has granted her an official burial in recognition of her long and distinguished service to the nation. Tributes from political leaders, educators, religious figures, and former students have praised her integrity, discipline, and lifelong dedication to expanding access to education.
Geraldine Namirembe Bitamazire leaves behind a lasting legacy as a teacher, reformer, legislator, and mentor whose influence will continue to be felt in Uganda’s education system for generations.
