Uganda's Kabaka returns home after diplomatic charade in Namibia

Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II returned to Uganda in the early hours of Monday morning. 

His return ended months of commotion and speculation among his subjects that led to a diplomatic charade in Namibia, where he had been recuperating.

The king's return follows his arrival in Namibia on April 14 for a private medical visit. The 69-year-old monarch was referred to the Okonguarri Psychotherapeutic Centre by his German doctors.

The facility, located in the Outjo area of Namibia's north-western Kunene region, was deemed an excellent place for recuperation. 

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• Uganda's Kabaka returns home after diplomatic charade in Namibia
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While the kingdom did not disclose the nature of the Kabaka's illness—traditionally, the Kabaka is not supposed to fall ill—they dismissed rumours that he had been poisoned. 

However, his extended stay in Namibia was cut short due to a series of controversies stirred by his subjects. 

The situation escalated two weeks ago when 'Bataka ba Buganda,' a group of clan elders, travelled to Namibia uninvited to verify that the Kabaka had not been kidnapped. 

The resulting commotion led the Namibian government to deny the Kabaka a visa extension. 

Etienne Maritza, the executive director of immigration in Namibia's Home Affairs Ministry, stated that the Kabaka's subjects had engaged in actions that tarnished the country's image internationally, making baseless allegations that their king was being illegally detained. 

"Some of the unscrupulous subjects of the Buganda Kingdom started organising and having demonstrations at Namibia's diplomatic missions around the world, demanding for Namibia to release their King from detention," he said.

"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."

Kabaka Mutebi's health has been a concern since around 2021, and the treatment and extended recuperation under the care of specialist doctors in Namibia appeared beneficial. 

However, the future remains uncertain as Kabaka returns to Bulange Mengo to address the turmoil surrounding his medical leave.