The king of Buganda, Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II, is a patient at Okonguarri Psychotherapeutic Centre in Namibia, a document purportedly authored by the Namibian ambassador to Germany, Martin Andjaba. A mental hospital, Okonguarri Psychotherapeutic Centre specializes in conditions such as depressive disorders, anxiety-related disorders, personality dysfunctions (psychosis), post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD), stress management, somatoform disorders, substance-related disorders, and childhood-related disorders, according to its website.
Ambassador Andjaba’s document was a response to a letter written on May 21, by a person who appears to be a concerned citizen, requesting for clarification on if the Kabaka, a highly respected Ugandan cultural leader, was under detention in Namibia.
The letter was titled ‘request for information and an intervention regarding the “detention” of His Majesty, King Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II, according to a document shared online.
Three days later, on May 24, Ambassador Andjaba wrote to the concerned citizen, clarifying that the Kabaka was not under detention but rather undergoing treatment at Okonguarri Psychotherapeutic Centre since April 2024.
“The Embassy wishes to inform that King Ronald Muwenda II is not detained in Namibia. He arrived in the country in April 2024 for medical treatment and is currently at Okonguarri Psychotherapeutic Centre in the Outjo area in the Kunene Region,” Ambassador Andjaba wrote.
“In terms of the request for delegation to visit the King, the relevant Namibian authorities have no objection, provided that the immigration formalities are met. Finally, the Embassy wishes to inform that necessary security precautions have been taken in order to ensure safety of the King while in Namibia.”
The subjects of the Kabaka have been demanding that the king appears in public after he missed key events. Photos recently showed the Kabaka appearing with Joseph Ndawula, the Ambassador of Uganda to Namibia.
Mengo was yet to speak out so as to confirm or deny the claims on the Kabaka receiving treatment at the mental hospital in Namibia.
The Kabaka’s health is an issue of immense concern since the king appeared in public looking sick and week for his birthday party a few years ago. The Kingdom Prime Minister, The Katikkiro, would later tell the kingdom’s subjects that the Kabaka was suffering from allergies and not cancer as had been alleged. The Kabaka sometimes flies abroad for medical checkups and treatment. (See Details Here, There and Over There).
