Tribute to Hon Sarah Mateke Nyirabashitsi

Nyirabashitsi – the name connotates visitor

BY PAMELA ANKUNDA | On Sept 6, 2024, at 8.30am-Saturday morning, I received an invitation for a church fundraising event scheduled for 27th Sept, 2024.

The Guest of honour had confirmed her presence, and everything seemed to be in place, for the function to raise as much as they could for Nyakabingo Church of Uganda-Muhabura Diocese-Kisoro.

That particular function was being coordinated by two children from Kisoro: Sarah Mateke and Harrison Mutikanga.

I first met Sarah when she was appointed Youth Minister. Most often, I took to her all kinds of youth issues I picked in the field. She didn’t tire out in hearing me.

The other time was when I was coordinating a few things, one  for the by-election that saw Eddy Kwizera return to Parliament and then later, at the consecration of Bishop Mbiste Godfrey of Muhabura Diocese.

On all occasions, Sarah made almost hourly phone calls where-in, the Chief Guest-Vice President Jessica Alupo was expected. She wanted to make sure everything was going well, giving me minute by minute updates so I could, in turn, inform the principal.

One day, in between the year, Harrison’s father passed on.

At the funeral, Sarah’s old man was called to eulogize the deceased. Before he spoke, Sarah quickly left her seat, walking in big strides to hold an umbrella for her father, Hon Mateke. He turned and saw his daughter holding the umbrella, and as their eyes met, you could see the sparkle of a deep relationship between daughter and dad.

It’s sad that in his evening years, Hon Philemon Mateke has to burry his beloved daughter, in her youthful prime – the 50s.

I hold Mzee Mateke in deep prayer, because only God can fill this void.

Holding a public office means you receive a lot of requests, complaints, and queries, all of which you must respond to-somehow. (This I learnt from Gen Aronda, who if he travelled to Kabale for NIRA issues, he’d hold meetings to find solutions to other issues: water scarcity, absence of drugs, security issues etc – story for another day)

I had received two issues that I shared with Sarah. Both were confidential. Sarah dealt with them and called me back to avail feedback.

Two weeks ago, Sarah called me to partake of a certain discussion and interest the principal in something else. On both, I did and gave her feedback.

On Saturday, an hour after receiving the invitation for the church fundraiser, I received news of her death. Death, why?

For Nyakabingo Church of Uganda, that Hon Sarah Mateke was helping to build, I call upon my friends to contribute in raising funds in her honour. That was Sarah’s most recent mark of glory, that she would have fulfilled.

Rest in Glory, Sarah Mateke Nyirabashitsi.

We are indeed visitors on God’s earth, for the only home we must know – is Heaven.

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Church details below

1. Bank Deposits
Bank: DFCU Bank
A/C Name: Nyakabingo C.O.U Parish
A/C No.: 01631119265716
Branch: Kisoro

2. Mobile Money: 0772601630 (Christopher Segutunga Rwabose, Treasurer