King’s Return Quells Months of Turmoil Amid Diplomatic Dispute in Namibia

The king’s return ends months of unrest and speculation fueled by some of his subjects, resulting in a diplomatic crisis during his recovery in Namibia.

The Kabaka, dressed in a grey suit with a matching gold and grey necktie on a white shirt, was welcomed at Entebbe International Airport by a delegation led by the Katikkiro, Owek Charles Peter Mayiga.

Ethiopian Airlines flight ET338 from Addis Ababa landed at Entebbe Airport ten minutes past midnight, and the king was greeted by Nnabagereka Sylvia Nagginda, accompanied by Prince Jjunju Kiweewa, Nnaalinnya Lubuga Agnes Nabaloga, and Nnaalinnya Victoria Nkinzi.

“Omutanda akomyewo mirembe mu nsi ye. Twebaza Katonda amukuumye ate n’okumuzza okwabobwe. Twebaza abasawo, ate n’abaweereza abaatambula ne Nnyinimu,” Mayiga later posted on X, formerly Twitter.

This translates to, “The King has returned peacefully to his land, we thank the doctors and attendants who looked after him.”

Kabaka Mutebi arrived in Namibia on April 14 for a private medical visit. The 69-year-old monarch had been referred to Okonguarri Psychotherapeutic Centre by his German doctors. The facility, located in the Outjo area in Namibia’s north-western Kunene region, was considered an excellent place for recuperation.

The kingdom did not disclose the nature of the Kabaka’s illness, as traditionally, the Kabaka is not considered to fall ill, but it denied rumors that he had been poisoned. However, his extended recuperation in Namibia was cut short by the host government following a series of controversial actions by the kingdom’s subjects.

The situation escalated two weeks ago when ‘Bataka ba Buganda,’ a group of clan elders, traveled to Namibia uninvited to confirm that the Kabaka had not been kidnapped. The ensuing commotion led the Namibian government to deny the Kabaka a visa extension.

The Namibian government stated that the Kabaka’s subjects had stooped to nefarious actions that tarnished the country’s international reputation.

Etienne Maritza, the executive director of Immigration in the Namibian Home Affairs ministry, said that some of the Kabaka’s subjects made allegations that their king was being illegally detained in Namibia.

“Some unscrupulous subjects of the Buganda Kingdom started organizing demonstrations at Namibia’s diplomatic missions worldwide, demanding Namibia release their king from detention,” he said. “Such malicious allegations were not only intended to tarnish Namibia’s respected reputation internationally but also to undermine the good bilateral relations between the two countries.”

Kabaka Mutebi’s health had been a concern since around 2021, and the treatment and extended recuperation under the care of specialist doctors in Namibia seemed beneficial for the king and his kingdom. However, the aftermath will be addressed in the coming days at Bulange Mengo as the Kabaka confronts the commotion surrounding his medical leave.