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The Kabaka of Buganda was welcomed by his wife, Nnaabagereka Sylvia Nagginda, and Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga. Also present were Princess Royal Agnes Nabaloga, Prince Crispin Jjunju Kiweewa, and Princess Victoria Nkinzi.
The king, who had been away for approximately three months, arrived in the country aboard Ethiopian Airlines flight number 338.
He had travelled to Namibia privately on medical grounds on 12 April and had been receiving treatment at the Okonguari Psychotherapeutic Centre in the Kunene Region.
However, the Namibian government declined to extend his visa, citing controversy sparked by some of his subjects, who appeared uninformed about their leader's travels.
“Subsequently, those subjects then started making allegations that His Royal Highness was being illegally detained in Namibia, that the Namibian Government conspired with the Ugandan authorities in abducting His Royal Highness, and thus demanded his unconditional release from detention in Namibia,” said Etienne Maritz, the executive director of Immigration, Safety and Security.
“Some unscrupulous subjects of the Buganda Kingdom started organising and having demonstrations at Namibia’s Diplomatic Missions around the world, demanding Namibia release their King from detention. This threatened the security of Namibian diplomatic officials, which is not allowed under international law. This not only put at risk the security of Namibia’s personnel abroad but also greatly interfered with the operations and security of Namibia’s diplomatic missions.”
Maritz noted that such malicious allegations were not only intended to tarnish Namibia’s respected reputation and standing in the eyes of the international community but also aimed to undermine the good bilateral relations between the two countries.
“The Government of the Republic of Namibia explained that the visit of His Royal Highness was purely private and did not intend to interfere with his medical visit," said Maritz.
"Furthermore, since these unscrupulous elements started disrupting the operations at our Diplomatic Missions, Namibia engaged the Ugandan authorities as well as the Royal family, expecting them to call these elements to order. Nevertheless, their disruptive activities continued unabated.”
Maritz continued: “Based on the good bilateral relations between the two countries and peoples, the security considerations of our diplomatic staff, in line with Namibia’s laws, and in accordance with international law (Immigration Regulations), the Government of the Republic of Namibia is unable to extend the visa of His Royal Highness Ronald Mutebi II, King of the Buganda Kingdom.
"The Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security, through the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation, has been in contact with His Royal Highness Mutebi II’s Palace, his medical team in Namibia, and the Ugandan authorities, and they were thoroughly briefed on the non-extension of the visa and the reasons thereof,” he added.
“Namibia is a sovereign state and has the right to implement the laws of the Republic of Namibia and international law.”
The request to extend the Kabaka's stay was made by Dr. Daleen de Lange, Executive Director at the Okonguari Psychotherapeutic Centre.
In a letter dated 9 July, Dr. de Lange appealed to the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation for an extension of Kabaka Mutebi II’s stay, citing ongoing medical treatment.