Published on 10/09/2024
Speaker Anita Among has called on Members of Parliament to set aside their grudges and internal conflicts, urging them to foster love and unity as Parliament is “one of the key families they have.”
Among made these remarks during a prayer vigil held at Parliament in honour of the late Sarah Mateke Nyirabashitsi, the former State Minister for Defence, who passed away at Mengo Hospital on Saturday, 7th September 2024.
“It is important as Members of Parliament to reflect. This is your family, where you belong. Love each other, be there for each other. Don’t waste time in grudges, in fights, in wars. Have peace and love each other,” Speaker Among implored mourners. She emphasized that moments like this should prompt reflection, urging her colleagues to think deeply about the legacy they leave behind and the impact of their actions on both the living and those who await them in eternity.
Referencing Romans 14:8, she reminded MPs to live their lives in a way that honours their relationship with God. Recalling the difficult moment when she received news of Mateke’s critical condition, Speaker Among described how she rushed to the hospital, without her usual security detail or driver, after confirming the news of Mateke’s death.
“On Saturday morning, I initially dismissed it as fake news. But when Minister Esther Anyakun called me insisting I go, I immediately drove myself to Mengo Hospital. When I arrived, I found my sister lying there,” she recounted, her voice heavy with emotion.
Speaker Among promised to ensure that Mateke’s young son would be taken care of, as has been the tradition in the 11th Parliament. She drew a parallel to Liverpool Football Club’s motto, stating, “We shall never walk alone, and Mateke’s son will not walk alone. We will be there for him, carrying forward the legacy of his mother.”
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Describing Mateke as a unifying figure, Speaker Among highlighted the late minister’s ability to reconcile and bring peace among colleagues. “Sarah was a friend to all, not just a colleague. She was a peaceful soul, always ready to reconcile and support those she loved,” Among said.
Following the prayers at Parliament, Mateke’s body was taken to her residence in Nsangi, Wakiso District, for a vigil. A church service will be held at All Saints Cathedral in Kampala, and a special parliamentary sitting will take place on 10th September 2024, where MPs will pay tribute to their fallen colleague.
