Reports have surfaced indicating that the Namibian Government has denied a visa extension request for His Majesty Ronald Mutebi II, the King of Buganda.
King Mutebi had traveled privately to Namibia for medical treatment in April and has been recovering at the Okonguari Psychotherapeutic Centre based on recommendations from his doctors in Germany.
Dr. Daleen de Lange, the Executive Director of the Centre, had formally requested a visa extension for King Mutebi II in a letter dated July 9 to Namibia’s Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation.
However, Penda Naanda, Executive Director of the Ministry, cited immigration regulations under Namibia’s Immigration Control Act of 1993, which stipulates a maximum stay of 90 days for non-Namibians.
Accordingly, Naanda informed the Centre that the request for an extension for King Mutebi II has been declined.During the past three months, there have been calls from Ugandans, particularly King Mutebi’s subjects, urging for his return and seeking information about his whereabouts.
Prime Minister Charles Peter Mayiga has consistently appealed for patience among the Baganda community, emphasizing that the King is undergoing medical treatment in Namibia.
In May, some Bagandas staged protests outside the Namibian Diplomatic Mission in the UK, demanding transparency from the Namibian government regarding the King’s situation to dispel concerns of possible abduction.
The Namibian authorities referred the protesters to the Buganda traditional authorities, emphasizing that King Mutebi II was in Namibia on a private visit.In a recent video message to his subjects, King Mutebi expressed optimism and assured them that he will return home as soon as his doctors permit.
However, his prolonged stay at the Okonguari Psychotherapeutic Centre may be curtailed following the latest developments unless there is a change in the authorities’ decision.
Last week, Namibian police briefly detained a group of Baganda clan leaders who had traveled over 300km from the capital to visit the King at the hospital. They were instructed to obtain clearance from the Mengo establishment or return home.
Recently, President Museveni criticized the clan leaders, labeling them as opportunists seeking to capitalize on the King’s illness by attempting to visit him without proper authorization.
Prior to their journey to Namibia, the clan leaders had met with Museveni at State House, where State Minister for ICT Hon Joyce Nabbosa Ssebugwawo disclosed that the President had pledged financial support for their trip to check on the King.Meanwhile, preparations are underway in the Buganda Kingdom to celebrate the 31st coronation anniversary of the King later this month.
The plans include prayers across Buganda for the monarch, with the main celebration scheduled at St Paul’s Cathedral Namirembe.Additional Reporting From NBC
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