Summary:
- The casket containing her remains was lowered into the grave at 5:50 PM on Thursday.
KISORO: 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, with a seven-gun salute.
The casket containing her remains was lowered into the grave at 5:50 PM on Thursday. Sarah Mateke passed away from a heart attack on Saturday shortly after being admitted to Mengo Hospital in Kampala.
Her send-off ceremony, which attracted thousands of mourners, was held at Nyakabingo Primary Playground, Chahi Sub County, Bufumbira County, Kisoro District. The service was presided over by the Bishop of Muhabura Diocese, Rt. Rev. Godfrey Mbiste.
During the send-off ceremony, John Kamara Nizeyimana, Chairperson of the Kisoro Leaders Forum who doubles as the Member of Parliament for Bufumbira North introduced Ms. Ruth Nyiraneza Mateke to Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, the Vice Chairperson of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Party for the Western Region and the Minister of Information, Communication, Technology, and National Guidance as the sole candidate chose by Bafumbira to succeed the late Sarah Mateke Nyirabashitsi who was the State Minister of Defense in charge of Veteran Affairs.
Kamara handed over Ms. Nyiraneza to Dr. Baryomunsi, who later introduced her to the Vice President of Uganda, Her Excellency Rtd Maj. Jesca Alupo. Kamara informed Vice President Alupo and Minister Baryomunsi that Kisoro leaders do not want any confusion regarding a by-election, as they have unanimously endorsed Ms. Nyiraneza as the sole candidate to succeed the late Sarah Mateke. Kamara requested Vice President Alupo to convey the decision of the Kisoro leaders to President Museveni.
CUE IN KAMARA…..ON MS NYIRANEZA ENDORSEMENT…….RR.ENG//
Minister Baryomunsi, who also serves as a member of the Central Executive Committee (CEC), said that as CEC members, they would wait for guidance from the Electoral Commission and convene the district NRM conference in Kisoro to reach a consensus within the NRM family. He noted that the party has no objection to the district leaders endorsing Nyiraneza as the successor to the late Sarah Mateke.
CUE IN MINISTER BARYOMUNSI….ON THE ISSUE…….ENG//
The 3rd Deputy Prime Minister of Uganda, Rt Hon. Lukia Nakadama, commended the Kisoro District Council and leaders for endorsing Ms. Nyiraneza, stating that their decision would save the NRM Party from unnecessary expenditure.
CUE IN NAKADAMA…..ON DECISION……ENG//
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.
CUE IN VP ALUPO….ON THE MATTER……ENG//
