In a special sitting chaired by Speaker of Parliament Rt Hon Anita Among, Uganda’s Parliament today paid heartfelt tribute to the late Hon. Sarah Mateke Nyirabashitsi, praising her unwavering commitment to the plight of children and youth.
Speaker Among lauded Mateke’s dedication to social development, highlighting her passion for legislative work that aimed to uplift the lives of the vulnerable.
The session, marked by solemn reflections, saw Prime Minister Rt Hon Nabbanja Robinah present the motion, emphasizing Mateke’s role as a dedicated patriot and the growing threat of Non-Communicable Diseases, which claimed her life at a critical time for the nation’s progress.
The House unanimously adopted the motion, with amendments urging the government to prioritize value addition in Irish potato farming in Kisoro and complete projects Mateke had championed in her constituency.
During the session, Speaker Anita Among spoke with deep emotion about the loss of Hon. Sarah Mateke Nyirabashits, describing her as a leader whose compassion and commitment made a significant impact on Uganda’s youth and social development sectors.
Among noted that Mateke’s death was not just a personal loss to those who knew her but a national tragedy, as she was at the forefront of driving legislative initiatives aimed at bettering the lives of Uganda’s children and youth.
“Death is indeed a bad reaper, always snatching the unripe fruit. Sarah has left us at a prime age and at a time when this nation needs leaders with courage, compassion, affection, teamwork, and commitment to drive the President’s socio-economic transformation agenda and the aspirations of the masses for a decent living,” Among emphasized.
Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, in presenting the motion, reflected on Mateke’s life as a dedicated public servant and a role model, particularly for the people of Kisoro. She highlighted Mateke’s efforts in spearheading various development projects in her constituency and her commitment to national service.
Nabbanja also touched on the alarming rise of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in Uganda, which claimed Mateke’s life. She urged Parliament to consider this growing health threat seriously, noting that it was increasingly robbing the country of its most promising leaders.
The session also saw contributions from various MPs who shared their memories of Mateke, praising her for her humility, dedication, and the significant strides she made in promoting social welfare.
In a unanimous decision, Parliament adopted the motion to pay tribute to the late Hon. Sarah Mateke, with amendments that included a call to the government to prioritize value addition in Irish potato farming in Kisoro, a key initiative that Mateke had championed.
The House also urged the completion of pending development projects in her constituency, ensuring that her legacy of service and commitment to her people would continue.
The tribute session concluded with a moment of silence in honor of Mateke, as Parliament acknowledged the void her passing has left in both the House and the nation at large.
