By CHANGE OF GUARDS
The Matekes, an ethnic Banyarwanda Hutu family from Kisoro in Uganda, hold a significant historical and political background in the region. Philemon Mateke, a prominent figure in the family, served as a cabinet minister in the second UPC government of Uganda. At the time, the Banyarwanda Tutsi in Uganda were aligning with Museveni’s sectarian NRA rebellion. While the Banyarwanda Tutsi were reportedly using the NRA as a platform to stage their eventual return to power in Rwanda, Mateke was cultivating a close relationship with the Hutu-led government in Rwanda, particularly with President Juvénal Habyarimana, a close personal friend.
After the NRA took power in 1986, there were allegations that some Banyarwanda Tutsi fighters plotted to assassinate Mateke due to his Hutu affiliations and connections with the Rwandan government. His life was reportedly saved by Jim Muhwezi, a high-ranking NRA officer. Following this, Mateke’s influence among the Banyarwanda Hutu of Kisoro became a strategic asset for Museveni, and he was subsequently co-opted into the Museveni regime, where he has served diligently ever since.
During the height of the Museveni-Kagame fallout, Rwanda accused Uganda of providing military support to various armed groups operating in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), notably the FDLR (Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda). The FDLR is closely associated with the 1994 Rwandan genocide, as many of its members were part of the Hutu forces responsible for the atrocities. Philemon Mateke, Uganda’s then Minister for Regional Cooperation, was singled out by Kigali as the alleged coordinator of the FDLR within Uganda. This accusation deepened tensions between Uganda and Rwanda, with Mateke claiming that the allegations were part of a broader plot to have him assassinated. In response, the Ugandan government bolstered Mateke’s personal security both in Kampala and at his rural home near the Rwandan border.
Mateke, given his background and ties to the Hutu community, was seen as having a moral obligation to support dissident Banyarwanda Hutu, which likely played a role in the accusations against him. In an attempt to ease the diplomatic strain with Rwanda, Museveni removed Mateke from the cabinet. However, in a controversial move, he appointed Mateke’s daughter, Sarah Nyirabatsitsi Mateke, to a cabinet position. Initially, she served in other roles, but was later moved to the strategic Ministry of Defence as the Minister of State, a decision that raised eyebrows.
The appointment of Sarah Nyirabatsitsi Mateke to the Ministry of Defence, despite the allegations surrounding her father, could be perceived by Rwanda as a provocative or suspicious development, considering the country’s sensitive history with the FDLR. Museveni’s revelation that he had assigned her to a task in eastern DRC further added to the intrigue. While it’s unclear how Rwanda officially received this appointment, the decision likely added complexity to the already fragile relations between the two countries. Furthermore, as Sarah’s sister is poised to replace her in Parliament, the Mateke family’s influence in Ugandan politics remains substantial, though it is uncertain whether they will continue to hold positions within the defense docket, given the diplomatic sensitivities involved.
INFORMATION IS POWER AND THE PROBLEM OF UGANDA IS MUSEVENISM
Discussion about this post