Staff Reporter
The body of the late Kisoro Woman Member of Parliament, Sarah Mateke Nyirabashitsi, has been laid to rest at her ancestral home in Bugahe village, Nyakabingo Parish, Chahi Sub County, Bufumbira County, Kisoro District, following a seven-gun salute.
The casket was lowered into the grave at 5:50 PM. Sarah Mateke passed away from a heart attack on Saturday, shortly after being admitted to Mengo Hospital in Kampala.
Her send-off ceremony, attended by thousands of mourners, took place at Nyakabingo Primary Playground, Chahi Sub County, Bufumbira County, Kisoro District. The service was led by the Bishop of Muhabura Diocese, Rt. Rev. Godfrey Mbiste.
During the ceremony, John Kamara Nizeyimana, Chairperson of the Kisoro Leaders Forum and Member of Parliament for Bufumbira North, introduced Ms. Ruth Nyiraneza Mateke to Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, Vice Chairperson of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Party for the Western Region and Minister of Information, Communication, Technology, and National Guidance. Ms. Nyiraneza was presented as the sole candidate chosen by the Bafumbira to succeed the late Sarah Mateke Nyirabashitsi, who served as the State Minister of Defense in charge of Veteran Affairs.
Kamara handed over Ms. Nyiraneza to Dr. Baryomunsi, who then introduced her to Vice President Rtd Maj. Jesca Alupo. Kamara informed Vice President Alupo and Minister Baryomunsi that Kisoro leaders seek to avoid any confusion regarding a by-election, as they have unanimously endorsed Ms. Nyiraneza as the successor to the late Sarah Mateke. Kamara requested Vice President Alupo to relay this decision to President Museveni.
Minister Baryomunsi, also a member of the Central Executive Committee (CEC), stated that the CEC members would await guidance from the Electoral Commission and convene the district NRM conference in Kisoro to reach a consensus within the NRM party. He added that the party had no objections to the district leaders’ endorsement of Nyiraneza as the successor to the late Sarah Mateke.
The 3rd Deputy Prime Minister of Uganda, Rt Hon. Lukia Nakadama, praised the Kisoro District Council and leaders for endorsing Ms. Nyiraneza, noting that their decision would help the NRM Party avoid unnecessary expenses.
Vice President Rtd Maj. Jesca Alupo, the chief mourner, assured the leaders that she would forward their requests to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for consideration.
