KISORO, Uganda – Students of Metropolitan International University (MIU), Kisoro Main Campus, honored the legacy of the university’s co-founder and former Minister of Defense and Veteran Affairs, the late Hon. Sarah Nyirabashitsi Mateke, by conducting a massive street cleaning exercise across Kisoro Municipality.
Hon. Nyirabashitsi, who also served as the Woman Member of Parliament for Kisoro District, passed away on September 7, 2024, at the age of 50 due to a heart attack at Nsambya Hospital. Her death shocked the MIU community, prompting the university to declare a week-long mourning period in her honor.
To mark the first anniversary of her passing, students organized a municipality-wide cleaning exercise under the theme “Clean Student, Clean Mind, Clean Community.” The activity was led by the Metropolitan International University Bakiga Bamwe Students Association (MUKISA).
The cleaning exercise began at the university grounds in Kamonyi Village, Kamonyi Ward, Northern Division, Kisoro Municipality. From there, students cleaned along Kisoro–Bunagana Road, passing Mubano Hotel, Mutanda Street, Kivengeri Street, and Mutolere Road, before concluding at the Kisoro District Headquarters.
According to Assimwe Bosco, President of MUKISA, and Tumwebaze Denis, the association’s Speaker, the event was not only about maintaining a clean environment but also about celebrating the impactful legacy of the late Sarah Nyirabashitsi.
The initiative received support from university council members and leaders of other student associations. They paid tribute to Hon. Nyirabashitsi’s immense contributions—not only to Kisoro District but to Uganda at large. One of her most enduring legacies is the Nyirabashitsi Bursary Scheme, which currently supports over 10,000 students at MIU.
Ntanda Moses, Senior Lecturer of Education and Head of the Education Department at MIU, described Hon. Nyirabashitsi as “a mother to university students” during her time. He thanked the community for its continued cooperation with the university and urged students to keep embracing green practices to help combat climate change.
Rev. Herbert Mujabwami, Chairperson of the University Council, said the day was a moment to reflect on the significant strides the late Hon. Nyirabashitsi made in advancing higher education and establishing the bursary scheme. He also commended students for leading efforts in environmental conservation and encouraged further activities such as tree planting throughout the district.
Benon Maniragaba, the LC1 Chairperson of Kamonyi Village, where the university is located, applauded MIU students for honoring the legacy of their late founder in a commendable way. He also called on the government to fulfill some of the unaccomplished development initiatives that the late Sarah Mateke had started.
Born on July 15, 1974, in Chahi Subcounty, Kisoro District, Sarah Nyirabashitsi Mateke was the third of six children. Her father, Philemon Mateke—a prominent politician and former State Minister for Regional Affairs—and her mother, Joy Rwanfizi Mateke, greatly influenced her path.
Nyirabashitsi attended Seseme Integrated School and later joined Maryhill High School for her secondary education. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Master’s in Public Health from Bugema University, along with a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Administration and Management from Uganda Christian University. She was also a professional teacher.
Her legacy continues to live on through the lives she touched—especially the thousands of students benefiting from her unwavering passion for education.
