The Minister of State for Veteran Affairs in the Ministry of Defence reportedly succumbed to a heart attack on Saturday morning, according to her father, Philemon Mateke, a former Minister of State for Regional Affairs.
“I am deeply saddened to announce the death of Hon. Sarah Mateke, Woman MP for Kisoro District and Minister of State for Defence, Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs. May the Lord comfort her family and grant her soul eternal peace. Funeral arrangements will be communicated in due course,” shared Minister of Information and National Guidance, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, on his social media.
Who Was Sarah Mateke Nyirabashitsi?
Born on July 15, 1974, Sarah Mateke Nyirabashitsi was a prominent Ugandan politician and educationist who served as the Woman Representative for Kisoro District. She was also appointed Minister of State for Gender, Labour, and Social Development by President Yoweri Museveni in 2021 as part of the 11th Parliament.
Hailing from the Chahi subcounty in Kisoro District, Kigezi region, Nyirabashitsi was the third of six children born to Philemon Mateke, a politician and former State Minister for Regional Affairs, and Joy Rwanfizi Mateke, a professional teacher.
She pursued her early education at Seseme Integrated School before attending Maryhill High School for her secondary studies.
She later graduated from Bugema University with a Bachelor of Business Administration and also earned a Master’s degree in Public Health from the same institution. Additionally, she obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Administration and Management from Uganda Christian University.
Before entering politics, Nyirabashitsi was involved in her family’s businesses, particularly in timber production and transportation.
She also founded the Nyirabashitsi Foundation, which provides scholarships for children to attend boarding schools from senior one to senior six.
Furthermore, she served as the chairperson of the Board of Trustees for the Metropolitan International University and Makerere Metropolitan Management Institute in Kampala.
Nyirabashitsi began her public service career as the Assistant Town Clerk of Kisoro Town Council. In 2021, she successfully contested for the position of Woman MP for Kisoro District, defeating the incumbent, Rose Kabagyeni.
She was later appointed as Minister of State for Gender, Labour, and Social Development, focusing on children and youth affairs, succeeding Florence Nakiwala Kiyingi. She was a member of the National Resistance Movement (NRM).
