Instead, he delegated his sister (Nalinya) Agnes Nnabaloga who flagged off the marathon at the Mengo palace this Sunday morning.
The Princess is the patron of Buganda Heritage Association in Denmark.
Addressing the press last night, Buganda Prime Minister Charles Peter Mayiga revealed that the King was out of the country for treatment.
“On 21st March, Ssabasajja Kabaka travelled to Europe to see his doctors,” Mayiga said.
“The doctors needed to run some more tests and assess his ongoing treatment; and so, he was unable to be back in time yet the marathon date was already set. He will be back once the doctors have finished their work.”
Mayiga said that he had spoken with the King who expressed gratitude to the people and organisations which took part in the birthday run.
The marathon was supported financially by President Yoweri Museveni, House Speaker Anita Among, Leader of Opposition Joel Senyonyi, and other government agencies, corporate entities and organizations.
The Buganda monarch will be turning 69 on April 13th.
The annual Kabaka birthday run raises funds that support the fight against HIV/AIDS in Uganda.
The Kabaka was appointed by UNAIDS as its Africa Goodwill ambassador.