A delegation of Buganda kingdom clan chiefs (Bataka) departed for Namibia on Monday evening to check on Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi, who is receiving therapeutic treatment in the southwestern African country. This trip follows ongoing concerns and curiosity regarding the King’s health and well-being.
Just before their departure from Entebbe International Airport, the Buganda Kingdom released a video featuring Kabaka Mutebi. In the video, the Kabaka reassured his subjects that he is “feeling much better” and would soon return to Uganda. He mentioned that he has been undergoing treatment since April on the advice of his German medical doctors and was instructed to take a break from his daily duties to facilitate a faster recovery.
Despite these reassurances from Buganda Prime Minister Charles Peter Mayiga and the Royal family, doubts persisted among some members of the Kingdom’s leadership, including several clan heads. Recently, some of the chiefs met with President Yoweri Museveni and requested his support in facilitating their trip to Namibia to see the King personally.
At the airport, the chiefs expressed their need to verify the Kabaka’s condition first-hand. “It would be disingenuous for us for the Kingdom employees to be the ones updating us about the health of the Kabaka,” stated Pius Walusimbi of the Ffumbe Clan. “We thought it was right for us as chiefs to go to Namibia and ascertain the condition of the King,” he added.
Ssababiito Sam Walugembe noted that the Buganda chiefs were the “most affected” by the limited information about the King’s whereabouts and health, as they are directly responsible for answering their subjects’ questions. The chiefs are scheduled to spend five days in Namibia, although it remains uncertain whether they will be granted an audience with the King.
Premier Mayiga had previously opposed visits to the King, citing concerns that it could cause chaos and negatively impact the King’s recovery. Nonetheless, the chiefs felt it was their duty to confirm the Kabaka’s health status personally.
