The nation is still in shock following the death of Sarah Mateke the woman member of parliament of Kisoro District and Junior Minister of Defense and Veteran affairs this morning in Kampala at the age of 50.
Mateke who is a daughter of former Minister Philemon Mateke reportedly succumbed to a heart attack. She suffered the attack, rushed to Mengo hospital today early morning but was pronounced dead upon arrival. Nyirabashitsi, who also doubles as Kisoro NRM Woman MP, passed away on Saturday morning.
The Minister’s father, Philemon Mateke, said the family members were “rushing her to Mulago hospital but died on arrival”
He added: “She succumbed to a heart attack.”
Born on July 15, 1974, Nyirabashitsi previously served as Minister of State for Gender, Labour and Social Development.The Minister in charge of Presidency, Milly Babalanda, described the news of the demise of Nyirabashitsi as “very sad” and “disturbing.”
“The national organising committee will meet with the family and organise with the Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs for a dignified send-off,” said Babalanda.
“A full burial program will be subsequently issued,” she added.
“My heartfelt sympathies and condolences to the Mateke family, H.E the President, entire Cabinet, the Ministry of Defence where she was deployed, all people of Kisoro and all Ugandans at large.”
Born into a political family, Mateke followed in the footsteps of her father Philemon Mateke who also served in Museveni’s government as minister and held Kisoro district leadership for years. When she won the parliamentary seat for Kisoro district, Museveni named her minister in appreciation of her father’s contributions to the NRM government.
She was first appointed State minister of Gender in-charge of Children and Youth Affairs in 2021 until March 21st when Museveni reshuffled his cabinet and moved her to the Defense Ministry where she’s the Minister of Defense and Veteran Affairs. Her previous docket at the Gender ministry is currently occupied by events promoter Balaam Barugahara.
Nyirabashitsi entered her family’s businesses including timber production and transportation.She was the founder of Nyirabashitsi Foundation where she supports children to join boarding secondary schools from senior one to senior six.
She was the chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Metropolitan International University, Makerere Metropolitan Management Institute, Kampala.Nyirabashitsi joined the public service as Assistant Town clerk of Kisoro town council.
In 2021, she contested the role of woman member of parliament of Kisoro District and won against incumbent Rose Kabagyeni.As the cloud of sorrow and grief hovers above Kisoro district, Museveni’s government has announced that burial arrangements will be communicated later and will be accorded an official burial.