Buganda Kingdom’s Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II won’t be returning to Uganda despite Namibia declining to extend his stay in the country. Kabaka, who has been receiving mental medical care in Namibia since April 2024, and had requested an extension of his visa, but the Namibian government turned this request down.
Earlier this month, the facility where he has been staying (Okunguari Psychotherapeutic Center) asked for an extension of his visa. However, in response the ministry of international affairs stated that foreign nationals could only stay in Namibia for a maximum of 90 days per year under the country’s immigration laws.
Apparently, this occurred weeks after protests by some Ugandan activists at Namibian diplomatic posts were alleged to have angered officials of the South African country.
“Having checked the records, I wish to inform you that the request for an extension is declined,” the state broadcaster NBC quoted a ministry official as saying. According to the Ugandan envoy in South Africa, Namibian authorities were not pleased with the intimidation that their diplomatic officers faced in relation to the Kabaka’s visit.
Protesters from Uganda staged demonstrations at the Namibian High Commission in the UK in May. These were calling for transparency on Kabaka Ronald Mutebi II’s prolonged visit. They demanded Namibia to provide details regarding the Kabaka’s location in order to calm fears that he had been abducted.
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The Buganda clan head were then consulted by the Namibian government. President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda criticized the Buganda traditional chiefs for their trip to Namibia two weeks ago in an attempt to find out the truth regarding the king’s health. This move raised diplomatic concerns.
“I request all the Ugandans to stop embarrassing Uganda by opportunistically trying to show how much they are for the Kabaka,” Museveni said.
