Uganda's State Minister for defence dies of heart attack

Uganda's Minister of State for Defence and Veteran Affairs, Sarah Nyirabashitsi Mateke, has passed away, her elder brother, , has confirmed. She was 50 years old.

According to her brother, Dr Gedion Mugisha, Nyirabashitsi suffered a heart attack at her home in Kampala in the early hours of Saturday morning and was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at Mengo Hospital, where she had been rushed for treatment.

"It's unfortunate that Sarah died at a time when Kisoro District and Uganda needed her services the most. It's a big loss to our family," he said.

Dr Mugisha mentioned that burial arrangements will be communicated after a family meeting. 

"Although we expect the government to provide the burial program, as the family, we need to make our own preparations," Dr Mugisha added.

In a brief conversation with this reporter, her father, Dr Philemon Mateke, a former State Minister for Regional Cooperation, said Nyirabashitsi’s death is a significant blow to the family.

Kisoro Municipality Deputy Mayor, Mr Augustine Mbonigaba, described Nyirabashitsi as the best legislator the district had ever had. 

"Nyirabashitsi was social, cooperative, developmental, down-to-earth, and never sectarian. We have lost a pillar of unity and development," Mr Mbonigaba eulogized.

Kisoro District Council Speaker, Mr. Amos Hakizimana, praised her as a committed leader who visited her constituency every weekend to attend social functions despite her busy schedule. 

"During her tenure, she did her best to organize and empower women through development programs. We have lost the only minister we had in Kisoro District. May her soul rest in peace," Mr Hakizimana said.

More about Nyirabashitsi

Nyirabashitsi was born on July 15, 1974, in Chahi Subcounty, Kisoro District, in the Kigezi region, to Philemon Mateke and Joy Rwanfizi Mateke, a professional teacher. 

She attended Seseme Integrated School, then Maryhill High School for her secondary education.

She later joined Bugema University, where she earned a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration.

Nyirabashitsi also held a Master's degree in Public Health from the same university, as well as a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Administration and Management from Uganda Christian University.

Before entering politics, Nyirabashitsi ran family businesses, including timber production and transportation.

She later founded the Nyirabashitsi Foundation, through which she supported children attending boarding secondary schools from Senior One to Senior Six.

She was the chairperson of the Board of Trustees at Metropolitan International University and the Makerere Metropolitan Management Institute, Kampala. 

Nyirabashitsi began her public service career as Assistant Town Clerk of Kisoro Town Council.

In 2021, she contested for the position of Kisoro Woman Member of Parliament in Western Uganda, defeating the incumbent, Rose Kabagyeni.

She was appointed Minister of State for Gender, Labour, and Social Development (Children and Youth Affairs), replacing Florence Nakiwala Kiyingi.

Early this year, Nyirabashitsi, a member of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), was appointed Minister of State for Defence and Veteran Affairs (Defence) following a cabinet reshuffle by President Museveni.