Mourning Sarah Mateke: Leaders want sister as replacement, Shaza stadium named after her

By Francis Nizeyimana

Kisoro District leaders have yet again called for ringfencing of the seat of Kisoro District Woman Representative (DWR) to the family of Dr Philemon Mateke.

Kisoro District Council on Wednesday held a special sitting to pay their last respects to the fallen minister of state for Defense.

A chopper carrying the remains of the late Nyirabashitsi touched down at Nyakabande airstrip at 10am with local leaders waiting to receive the casket.

The body was then transported to Bugahe village, Nyakabingo parish in Chahi Sub County where hundreds of residents, religious and local leaders joined District Councillors for a special sitting.

The District councilor representing Muramba sub county, Martin Hakizimana moved a motion requesting that council be conducted in English, Rufumbira and Rukiga for all the people in gallery to follow the proceedings. The motion was enormously seconded.

Speaker after speaker narrated several contributions to the development of Kisoro, praising her for an indelible mark in unifying Kisoro district leadership.

She was eulogised for tremendous efforts in education, health and social services across the district.

Amos Hakizimana, the Kisoro district speaker said, “the late Hon Nyirabashitsi Mateeke has done indelible work to the development of Kisoro and this challenges us as leaders to fall into her steps.”

The Kisoro LC5 Vice Chairperson Alex Ndayambaje listed a number of projects the deceased had lobbied for Kisoro, including funds for a theater and isolation ward at Kisoro hospital and Busanza HCIV, funds for upgrading Buhozi health center III, distribution of hass avocado seedlings, ambulances for Busanza HC IV and Chahafi HC IV and others.

“The deceased was a child advocate and educationist who sponsored many, with a focus on the fight against domestic violence.”

Kisoro LC5 Chairperson Abel Bizimana proposed that Shaza grounds, whose constructon is yet to kick-off, be renamed after the late Nyirabashitsi.

Several councilors including John Mfitumukiza of Nyarusiza, Diana Nakato of Nyakinama, Beshubeho Louis of Kirundo and others seconded the proposal.

Bufumbira North legislator, John Kamara Nizeyimana, who arrived late for the function, gave his speech, warning against politics of hatred.

“When a person from Kisoro is appointed to any ministerial position or government parastatal, let everyone embrace the appointment but not fight it. We may not get another minister of state soon.” Kamala said.

Sarah’s replacement?

The gist of the moment was when Hon Kamara called forward Ruth Nyiraneza, a younger sister of Hon Nyirabashitsi.

He said that there was no need to traverse the whole district soliciting for votes in both primary and general elections for a candidate to complete the deceased’s term.

“Now there should not be any confusion of moving the whole district, every constituency, that we are looking for votes. I therefore want to propose that we go with this lady here, Ruth Nyiraneza as our candidate. Her sister has worked very well and everyone is praising her. Let this Nyiraneza complete this term and then we shall see what happens in 2026.” Said Kamala.

The MP then asked those in support of his proposal to raise their arms, which almost everyone did.

With Hon Kamara’s proposal speaker Amos Hakizimana asked his councillors, to which majority in the house said “aye” in support.

Other MPs in attendance including Dr James Nsaba Buturo for Bufumbira East, Eddie Kwizera WaGahungu for Bukimbiri County and Alex Niyonsaba Seruganda for Bufumbira South had spoken earlier, sharing same sentiments.

The legislators remarked that depite their differences, the deceased always found a way of uniting them to join forces to lobby projects for Kisoro district. Hon Kwizera said ”we ask the family of Mateke to give us a replacement who will fit in her daughter’s shoes.”

The special council sitting was proceeded by a church service in which numerous speeches praised the fallen minister for being down-to-earth, practical and realistic. She will be laid to rest on Thursday 12th September 2024.

Sarah Mateke Nyirabashitsi, born 15 July 1974 died on Saturday 7 September 2024 at Nsambya Hospital. The family said she died of a heart attack.

She was the woman representative for Kisoro district and Minister of State forDehence. She served as State Minister for Gender, Labour and Social Development before the Cabinet reshuffle in 2021 by President Yoweri Museveni.