Kisoro Leaders Unite to Support Ruth Nyiraneza Mateke as New Woman MP
By Teddy Namayanja
In a remarkable display of unity and solidarity, leaders from Kisoro District have come together to endorse Ruth Nyiraneza Mateke as the new Woman Member of Parliament, following the untimely passing of her sister, Hon. Sarah Nyirabashitsi Mateke. The district’s top officials, including the LC5 Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, and councilors, have rallied behind Ruth, citing her family’s legacy of dedicated service to the district and her own potential to build on her sister’s achievements. With this collective backing, Ruth is poised to fill the big shoes left by her sister and continue the Mateke family’s tradition of championing the interests of the people of Kisoro.”
The unanimous decision was taken during a special sitting on Wednesday to pay their last respects to the late Hon. Sarah Nyirabashitsi Mateke, Woman MP for Kisoro District and Minister of State for Defense, who passed away on September 7, 2024. The councilors praised her contributions to the development of Kisoro, particularly in education, health, and social services.
Amos Hakizimana, the Kisoro District Speaker, said, “The late Hon. Nyirabashitsi Mateke has done indelible work to the development of Kisoro, and this challenges us as leaders to fall into her steps.”
Alex Ndayambaje, the Kisoro LC5 Vice Chairperson, listed several projects that the deceased had lobbied for Kisoro, including funds for a theater and isolation ward at Kisoro hospital and Busanza HCIV. He added, “The deceased was a child advocate and educationist who sponsored many, with a focus on the fight against domestic violence.”
The councilors proposed renaming Shaza grounds, whose construction is yet to kick-off, after the late Nyirabashitsi. Bufumbira North legislator, John Kamara Nizeyimana, warned against politics of hatred, saying, “When a person from Kisoro is appointed to any ministerial position or government parastatal, let everyone embrace the appointment but not fight it. We may not get another minister of state soon.”
Kamara then proposed that Ruth Nyiraneza, a younger sister of Hon. Nyirabashitsi, replace her as Woman MP for Kisoro District. He said, “Now there should not be any confusion of moving the whole district, every constituency that we are looking for votes. I therefore want to propose that we go with this lady here, Ruth Nyiraneza, as our candidate. Her sister has worked very well, and everyone is praising her. Let this Nyiraneza complete this term, and then we shall see what happens in 2026.”
The majority of the councilors supported the proposal, with Speaker Amos Hakizimana asking, “Do you agree?” to which most replied, “Aye.”
Other MPs in attendance, including Dr. James Nsaba Buturo, Eddie Kwizera WaGahungu, and Alex Niyonsaba Seruganda, shared similar sentiments, praising the deceased for uniting them to lobby projects for Kisoro district. Kwizera said, “We ask the family of Mateke to give us a replacement that will fit in her daughter’s shoes.”
