Buganda chiefs travel to Namibia to meet Kabaka

Buganda kingdom clan chiefs traveled to Namibia to check on Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi who is receiving therapeutic treatment
Some elements in the Kingdom leadership structures remained doubtful about the King’s whereabouts and wellbeing
The chiefs met with President Yoweri Museveni to facilitate their trip to Namibia to see the king

The team departed on Monday evening to the south western country where the King is receiving therapeutic treatment.

Just hours before they set off at Entebbe International Airport, Buganda Kingdom released a video of the Kabaka giving an update about his health and reassuring his subjects that he would soon be back in the country.

Kabaka Mutebi said in the video that he was “feeling much better,” having undergone treatment since April this year, on the advice of his German medical doctors.

He said he was advised to take a break from his day-to-day work to allow faster recuperation.

Read: ‘I am disappointed’ - Kabaka sends stern message from Namibia

But despite such repeated reassurances from Buganda Prime Minister Charles Peter Mayiga and the Royal family, some elements in the Kingdom leadership structures including several clan heads remained with doubts about the King’s whereabouts and wellbeing.

'It's our role'

Recently, some of the chiefs met with President Yoweri Museveni and urged him to facilitate their trip to Namibia to see the king.

At the airport, the chiefs told reporters that they needed to confirm first-hand whether the Kabaka was alright.

“It would be disingenuous for us for the Kingdom employees to be the ones updating us about the health of the Kabaka,” said Pius Walusimbi of the Ffumbe Clan.

“We thought it was right for us as chiefs to go to Namibia and ascertain the condition of the King,” he added.

Ssababiito Sam Walugembe said the Buganda chiefs were the “most affected” by the scantiness of the news about the whereabouts of the King, because they are the ones that directly answer the subjects questions.

The chiefs are expected to spend fives days in Namibia, although there was no confirmation yet on whether they would be allowed to meet the king.

Premier Mayiga openly opposed allowing people to visit the King weeks back, saying this could cause chaos and affect the King’s recovery.