Kigezi Mourns Sarah Mateke

Leaders in the Kigezi region are mourning the passing on of Sarah Mateke Nyirabashitsi, State Minister for Defense and Veteran Affairs.   

Mateke Nyirabashitsi, 50, who is also Kisoro District Woman Member of parliament died on Saturday morning on arrival at Mengo Hospital in Kampala after suffering a heart attack while at home.

Abel Bizimana, Kisoro LCV Chairperson described the deceased as an exceptional patriot who will not be easily replaced. 

Amos Hakizimana, the Kisoro district speaker, says that Nyirabashitsi acted as a bridge between Kisoro district local government and the central government in terms of lobbying. Hakizimana says that the death of Nyirabasitsi is a setback to the development of Kisoro district. 

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The Southern Division District Councilor in Kisoro municipality James Agaba says that Nyirabasitsi will be remembered for supporting the education sector. Agaba says that he is among the beneficiaries of a scholarship scheme that the deceased had established for the needy. 

The Academic Registrar of Metropolitan International University, Nicholas Kaziro says that the deceased will be remembered as a selfless person, a mentor, a motivator and a mother.   

Kisoro Resident District Commissioner, Hajji Badru Ssebyala says that Nyirabashitsi was committed to serving her country.   

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David Kwesiga Bahati, Minister of State for Trade, Industry and Cooperatives and also Ndorwa County west Member of Parliament in Kabale district says that the Kigezi region has lost a very hard-working and loyal cadre of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party.   “Kigezi has lost a very hard-working and loyal cadre of the Movement. Hon. Sarah Nyirabashitsi  Mateke stood for the emancipation of women and the empowerment of young people. She dedicatedly fought for the people of Kisoro and stood for what was right for Uganda”, says Bahati in a statement.   

Wilfred Niwagaba, Ndorwa County East MP also in Kabale district released a statement describing Nyirabashitsi as a dedicated and hardworking Member of Parliament, very friendly, down to earth and one of the most sociable Ministers in the current government.   “I am deeply saddened by the news of the sudden death of our fellow Member of Parliament Hon. Sarah Mateke Nyirabashitsi, the Kisoro District Woman MP, who is also the Minister of State for Defense and Veteran Affairs. Hon Sarah Mateke was a dedicated and hardworking Member of Parliament, very friendly, down to earth and one of the most sociable Ministers in the current government. Her commitment to the welfare of her constituents, particularly the youths and children, was truly inspiring. Her leadership, wisdom, and passion will be greatly missed”, said Niwagaba.   

Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, Minister for Information and National Guidance who is also the Kinkiizi County East Member of Parliament in Kanungu district described Nyirabashitsi’s death as a tragedy. 

Born on July 15, 1974, in Nyakabingo village, Chahi sub-county, Kisoro district, Nyirabashitsi went to Seseme Integrate School in Kisoro and later transferred to Maryhill High School in Kampala for her secondary education. 

She later joined Bugema University and graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration. She enrolled for a Master’s degree in Public Health from Bugema University and a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Administration and Management from Uganda Christian University.   

Before joining politics, she served as an assistant town clerk for Kisoro municipality. 

In 2021, she defeated Independent candidate Rose Kabagyenyi to become the Kisoro District woman Member of Parliament.  She has also been serving as the Chairperson Board of Trustees at Metropolitan International University.  

Before being appointed as State Minister for Security, she was also appointed by President Museveni as State Minister for Gender, Labor and Social Development in charge of Children and Youth Affairs.