Hundreds benefit from free medical camp in memory of late minister Sarah Mateke
Hundreds benefit from free medical camp in memory of late minister Sarah Mateke
By Editor
Kisoro
Hundreds of residents in Kisoro Municipality are benefiting from a free medical camp organised in memory of the late State Minister for Defence and Veteran Affairs, Sarah Nyirabashitsi Mateke.
The camp, being held at the Kisoro Mayor’s Gardens, is offering a range of free health services, including screening for cancer, diabetes and high blood pressure, blood donation and testing for other diseases.
The medical camp is part of activities to mark the second anniversary of Mateke’s death. She died in Kampala on September 7, 2024, in an incident that shocked residents of Kisoro and Ugandans across the country.
Through the Bashitsi Development Foundation, several health organisations have partnered to provide the services in honour of the late minister.
Residents have turned up in large numbers, patiently waiting to be screened and attended to. The camp is expected to run until Friday.
The medical superintendent of Kisoro Hospital, Dr Emmanuel Bahane, said Mateke made significant contributions to the construction and development of the hospital, helping transform its infrastructure and improve service delivery.
“Her contribution also improved maternal health services at Kisoro Hospital and Busanza Health Centre IV, where pregnant mothers are now receiving better care,” Bahane said.
Bahane said Kisoro Hospital is participating in the camp to provide free services, particularly cancer screening.
Janan Munyambabazi, the director of Bashitsi Development Foundation, said the family organised the medical camp to keep Mateke’s legacy alive and continue the support she extended to communities.
“Mateke supported women’s groups, youth initiatives and education and health services, among other community development programmes. The family chose a medical camp as a way of giving back to the people she served,” Munyambabazi said.
She added that Mateke’s efforts had put Kisoro on the national map, making it important for the family to continue supporting residents in her memory.
“Sarah Mateke’s efforts put Kisoro on the national map, making it important for the family to continue supporting residents in her memory,” Munyambabazi said.
The administrator of Kisoro Institute of Health Sciences, Vain Niyonshuti, said students from the institution are working with officials from the Uganda Cancer Institute, Kisoro Hospital staff and other health workers to ensure residents receive the necessary services.
Niyonshuti said the institute is among the initiatives established with the support of the late Sarah Nyirabashitsi Mateke.
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