A delegation of clan leaders from the Buganda Kingdom flew to Namibia on Monday to visit Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II, who is currently receiving medical treatment in the southern African country.
Duration and Delegation
The team, led by Kyaddondo Kasirye Mbugeeramula (Nvuma), plans to stay in Namibia for five days.
Other clan leaders in the delegation include Mawesano Deus Kyeyune (Ngaali), Sheba Kakande (Ngeye), Elias Lwasi Buuzaabo (Ndiga), Godfrey Natiigo (Lugave premier), and Walusimbi Mbirozankya (Ngeye).
Committee’s Resolution
According to a local Newspaper, The Daily Monitor, the head of the clan leaders, Mr Augustine Kizito Mutumba, explained that their committee had agreed on the trip.
“On May 30, 2024, we passed a resolution allowing clan leaders who can travel to seek permission to visit the Kabaka during his recovery,” he said.
Self-Funded Trips
Mr Mutumba added that the committee recommended that interested clan leaders fund their trips after receiving clearance from the relevant authorities.
“According to our culture, it is our duty to check on our leader since he has been unwell for some time,” he noted.
Voluntary Participation
Since the trip was voluntary, Mr Mutumba mentioned they did not have an exact count of the clan leaders who travelled to Namibia.
Addressing Speculations
Before departing from Entebbe International Airport, Mr Walusimbi stated that the trip would help dispel rumours about Kabaka’s health.
He emphasized that no one could prevent the clan leaders from taking actions beneficial to the Kingdom.
Kingdom’s Response
However, Buganda Information Minister Israel Kitooke Kazibwe said the kingdom was unaware of the trip.
“After their meeting as clan leaders, they should have presented their resolutions to us, but this was not done, and nothing was communicated,” he said.
Kabaka’s Public Appearance
The trip coincided with the Kabaka’s first public appearance since leaving for treatment. In a short recorded video shared by Buganda Kingdom Katikkiro (premier) Charles Peter Mayiga on social media, Kabaka Mutebi, who has been unwell since April, said he had been advised by medical experts to take a therapeutic rest for a proper recovery.
Meeting with President Museveni
On June 8, the clan leaders, led by State Minister for ICT Joyce Nabbosa Ssebuggwawo, had a two-hour discussion with President Museveni.
According to Ms. Ssebuggwawo, the leaders sought clearance from the President to visit the Kabaka in Namibia.
Request for Presidential Intervention
“For security reasons, we are not allowed to access the Kabaka. Clan leaders, therefore, requested President Museveni to intervene and speak to the Namibian President to grant us clearance for the visit,” Ms Ssebuggwawo explained.
Impact on the Kingdom
“Kabaka is the head, and if he is not doing well, it affects the entire kingdom, and we are answerable to the subjects on whatever happens in the kingdom,” she added.
Presidential Assurance
Mr. Kyeyune, who attended the meeting, said they asked President Museveni to follow up on the Kabaka’s health status.
“The President promised to follow up on the Kabaka’s health, although he disclosed that he did not have enough information,” Mr. Kyeyune said.
He also mentioned that they reminded the President to fulfil previous pledges of financing their savings Sacco.
