Sarah Mateke Nyirabashitsi, the State
Minister for Defense and Veteran Affairs has been laid to rest at her ancestral home in Bugahe village,
Nyakabingo parish, Chahi Sub County.
Nyirabashitsi’s remains were lowered to the grave at exactly 5:51 pm. Mateke Nyirabashitsi, 50, who was also the Kisoro
District Woman Member of Parliament died on Saturday on
arrival at Mengo Hospital in Kampala after suffering a heart attack while at
home.
Nyirabashitsi’s sister Ruth Nyiraneza appealed to whoever felt she
was wronged by Nyirabashitsi to forgive her. She also says that as a family,
they are ready to fulfil the deceased’s dreams.
On Wednesday, councillors in Kisoro district speaking during the special council
session hinted at fronting Nyiraneza to replace the deceased.
Isaac
Tugume, Nyirabashitsi’s son says that the deceased will be
remembered for being generous.
//Cue in´ndabashiima ntafite bugarukiro…
Cue out: …before herself.”//
Kisoro leaders and MPs led by John Ninzeyimana Kamara,
Bufumbira North County MP presented Nyiraneza to Jessica Alupo, the Vice
President. He asked the people of Kisoro to allow Nyirabashitsi to sail unopposed.
//Cue in: “nta twenda kuzana…
Cue out: …to contest.”//
Lieutenant General Sam Okiding, Deputy
Chief of Defense Forces and Inspector of Defence Forces says the short time the
deceased served in the Defense Ministry, she preached peace and unity.
//Cue in: “she short time…
Cue out: …honourable Kamara.”//
Alupo promised to table the requests by Kisoro district
leaders to name the planned stadium after Sarah Mateke, processing of
the Charter for Metropolitan University, completion of Kanyamateke bridge and
tarmacking of tourism roads in Kisoro.
//Cue in: “Issues of the…
Cue out: …the president.”//
Preaching during the service, Rt. Rev. Godfrey Mbitse,
Bishop of Muhabuura diocese hailed the deceased for being an advocate of dressing decently. Mbitse also condemned vices of corruption and extortion in society
saying that they are un-Godly.
//Cue in: “ndabanza nogushimira honorable…
Cue out: …iguru tuzalijamu.”//
Born on July 15, 1974, in 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.
