Kisoro mourning the tragic death of the district Woman Member of Parliament who doubled as the Minister of state for Defence and Veteran Affairs (Defence), Sarah Nyirabashitsi Mateke. She passed away in the morning of Saturday 7th September 2024 at the age of 50, at Mengo hospital, Kampala.
Dr Gedion Mugisha, her elder brother, confirmed her death Saturday morning a few minutes after her demise.
Dr Mugisha said Nyirabashitsi experienced a heart attack at her home in Kampala and was pronounced dead moments after arriving at Mengo hospital where she was rushed for treatment.
Dr Mugisha said burial arrangements would be communicated after a family meeting.
In a brief interaction with our reporter, her father, Dr Philemon Mateke, a former state minister for regional cooperation, said that Nyirabashitsi’s death is a big blow to the family.
The Kisoro district LC5 chairperson Abel Bizimana said the death of Nyirabashitsi is a big blow for Kisoro and Uganda at large. He said Kisoro has lost a strong leader who was developmental.
Kazimiri Wilson, the LC5 councilor of Chahi Sub County said the death of Nyirabashitsi leaves a big vacuum in Kisoro’s leadership, adding that she was social and could fit in every community.
Kisoro municipality deputy mayor, Mr Augustine Mbonigaba said Nyirabashitsi was the best legislator the district has ever had.
The Kisoro district council speaker, Mr Amos Hakizimana eulogized her as a committed leader who visited her constituency every weekend to attend social functions despite her busy schedule.
Nyirabashitsi was born on July 15, 1974 in the Chahi sub county, Kisoro District in the Kigezi region to Philemon Mateke and Joy Rwanfizi Mateke, a professional teacher.
Nyirabashitsi attended Seseme Integrated School, then Maryhill High School for her secondary education. She joined Bugema University and graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. She also held a Master’s degree in Public Health from the same University and a Postgraduate diploma in Public Administration and Management from Uganda Christian University.
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