Ugandan king hospitalised in Namibia

Source: The Namibian
Author: Donald Matthys

Long-serving Ugandan King Ronald Muwenda Mutebi (69) has reportedly been receiving treatment at the Okonguarri Psychotherapeutic Centre at Outjo since April for an undisclosed medical condition.

According to Ugandan media reports, Mutebi, who has frequently been hospitalised in Germany, travelled to Namibia in April and has been undergoing treatment here ever since.

This follows rumours in Uganda about the king's detention.

However, according to Ugandan media reports, a letter dated 24 May and signed by Namibia's ambassador to Germany, Martin Andjamba, clarified to one of Buganda's royalists that the Kabaka is in the country for treatment.

"The embassy wishes to inform you that the King Ronald Muwenda II is not detained in Namibia. He arrived in the country in April 2024 for medical treatment and is currently at the Okonguarri Psychotherapeutic Centre in the Outjo area in the Kunene region," the letter reads.

"In terms of the request for a delegation to visit the king, the relevant Namibian authorities have no objection, provided that the immigration formalities are met," the letter says.

The embassy informed the media that the necessary security precautions were taken to ensure safety of the king while in Namibia.

When approached for comment, Andjamba said.

"I don't want to speak on this issue anymore," Andjamba said.

Meanwhile, international relations and cooperation minister Peya Mushelenga says he is unaware of Mutebi being in the country.

"The Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation deals with international relations and foreign policy issues and not the treatments of people," Mushelenga says.

Mutebi is the king of Buganda, Uganda's largest monarchy, which traces its origins back to the 13th century.

According to the Daily Monitor Uganda, the relationship between Mutebi and Uganda's president Yoweri Museveni can best be described as a love-hate dynamic spanning nearly 42 years.

According to the report, central to this volatile relationship is their differing views on power, because while Mutebi's subjects want him to preside over a quasi-state, Museveni sees him merely as a cultural leader.