KAMPALA- The Kisoro District Woman Legislator Hon Sarah Mateke Nyirabashitsi has passed on.
The Legislator who was the Minister of State for Veteran Affairs (Ministry of Defense) passed on this morning form what her father Philemon Mateke who is also the former Minister of state for regional affairs termed as heart attack.
“Am sad to announce the death of Hon Sarah Mateke, Woman MP, Kisoro District and Minister of state for Defence, Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs. May the good Lord comfort the family and rest her soul in eternal peace. Funeral arrangements will be communicated in due course” Minister of Information and National Guidance Dr Chris Baryomunsi posted on his social media handles.
Who is Sarah Mateke Nyirabashitsi?
Sarah Mateke Nyirabashitsi (born 15 July 1974) was a Ugandan politician and educationist who was the woman representative for Kisoro District, and Minister of State for Gender, Labour and Social Development appointed in 2021 by the President Yoweri Museveni in the Ugandan 11th Parliament.
Sarah Mateke Nyirabashitsi was born in the Chahi subcounty, Kisoro District in the Kigezi region to Philemon Mateke and Joy Rwanfizi Mateka. She is the third born of six in the family. Her father was a politician, a former State Minister for regional affairs and the mother was a professional teacher.
Nyirabashitsi attended Seseme Integrate 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.
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.
Nyirabashitsi was appointed Minister of State for Gender, Labour and Social Development (Children and Youth Affairs) replacing Florence Nakiwala Kiyingi. She is affiliated to the National Resistance Movement.