Kisoro leaders mourn Minister Mateke
Keep Reading
Residents and leaders from Kisoro District have expressed deep sorrow and described Minister Sarah Mateke as a unifying force within the community following the news of her passing.
The State Minister for Defence, who also served as the Kisoro Woman Member of Parliament (MP), died on Saturday morning after reportedly suffering a heart attack.
At the home of Minister Mateke’s father, Dr. Philemon Mateke, in Nyakabingo Village, Chahi Sub-County, mourners were gathering, and meetings were underway in the family compound.
Dr. Philemon Mateke, who is also the NRM Chairman for Kisoro District, spoke of his daughter's humility and dedication to her work.
"Sarah was a humble and hardworking person who would not antagonize others. She was a pro-community person," he said, reflecting on her contributions to the district.
He also revealed that he had nurtured her political interest from an early age.
"I groomed her into politics, having spent my entire life in the field."
Local leaders, including Abel Bizimana, the Kisoro District Chairperson, Amos Hakizimana, the Kisoro District Speaker, and James Agaba, an LC5 District Councillor, praised Minister Mateke for her role in fostering unity among different regions within Kisoro.
They highlighted her efforts in securing various development projects for the district.
"Sarah was a uniting force, securing projects and transforming our district," they said.
Born on July 15, 1974, Sarah Mateke was a dedicated politician and philanthropist. She initially served as a town clerk for Kisoro District before entering politics, where she was elected as the Kisoro District Woman MP from 2011 to 2016.
She was re-elected in 2021 and subsequently appointed by President Museveni as the State Minister for Gender, Labour, and Social Development, in charge of children and youth affairs.
In a recent cabinet reshuffle, she was appointed as the State Minister for Defence.
Sarah Mateke was the third-born child in a family of seven, a devoted daughter of Dr. Philemon Mateke, a respected figure in Kisoro's political landscape.
Her passing has left a significant void in the community, as leaders and residents alike remember her contributions to unity and development in Kisoro District.
