The Kabaka of Buganda Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II has returned after spending three months in the Republic of Namibia.
Kabaka returned in the wee hours of the night. He was received by Nalinya Lubuga, Dr. Agnes Nabaloga, Nabageraka Sylvia Nagginda, Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayegaand his wife, Prince Cryspin Jjunju Kiweewa, and others.
Kabaka return followed Namibia’s decision to decline the extension of his visa over stage-managed protests demanding his release.
Mutebi II entered Namibia on April 14, 2024, with a private medical visit and was stationed at an undisclosed location in the country. His visit generated controversy with some of his subjects, who seem not to have been briefed about the travels of His Royal Highness. Subsequently, subjects started making allegations that Kabaka was being illegally detained in Namibia, that the Namibian government conspired with the Ugandan authorities in abducting him, and thus demanded his unconditional release from detention in Namibia.
The government of Namibia said the demonstrations did not only put at risk the security of Namibia’s personnel abroad but also interfered greatly with the operations and security of Namibia’s diplomatic missions.
“Such malicious allegations were not only meant to tarnish Namibia’s respected reputation and standing in the eyes of the international community but were also meant to undermine the good bilateral relations that exist between the two countries. Since they started disrupting the operations at our diplomatic missions, Namibia engaged the Ugandan authorities as well as the royal family and expected them to call the unscrupulous elements to order. Nevertheless, their disruptive activities continued unabated,” the government of Namibia said.
Following his return, through family members led by Prince Junju, Kabaka apologised for unscrupulous elements who staged demonstrations at the various missions of Namibia.
“We thank God for extending His healing hand to Kabaka and enabling him to recover enough to return to his kingdom. We know that the people of Buganda, Uganda, and the world have been praying for the King and wishing him a good life,” he said.
He applauded a team of doctors and staff who have been treating him over the past few months in Germany, Switzerland, and Namibia, which have hosted him for the past three months.
“I thank the government of Uganda, especially the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, for its cooperation with the government of Namibia during my visit to Namibia. Katikkiro, ministers, chiefs, and servants of the kingdom for conducting the affairs in my absence,” he said.
