President Yoweri Museveni has spoken out on the preventive arrest of Buganda Clan Heads or chiefs (Abataka) who travelled to check on Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II in Namibia.
Buganda Kingdom Prime Minister (Katikkiro) Charles Peter Mayiga has made it clear that information on the issues of Kabaka’s health should only come from him or the Royal Family.
Mayiga has also warned against opportunists taking advantage of the king’s health condition for their selfish needs. Yet, despite these warnings, a group of Abataka or clan chiefs decided to travel to Namibia to find out for themselves how the Kabaka was doing.
The group included Eria Buzaabo Lwasi of the Ndiga (sheep) clan, Kasirye Mbugeramula of the Nvuma clan, Deus Mawesano Kyeyune of the Ngaali clan, Sheba Kakande Kibirige of the Ngeye clan and Godfrey Katende of Olugave clan.
While in Namibia, the group of abataka attempted to travel to Okonguarri Psychotherapeutic Centre where the Kabaka is receiving treatment.
A short distance near the hospital, police arrested the Abataka and detained them at Outjo Police Station for more than two hours. They were later released following the intervention of Kintu Nyango, Uganda’s Deputy High Commissioner to South Africa and Namibia.
Officers at the station made it clear that they would not be allowed to enter the mental health facility to see the Kabaka if Katikkiro Mayiga or the Royal Family clears them to do so.
MUSEVENI SPEAKS OUT
On July 11, President Museveni wrote to Gen Jeje Odongo, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, broaching the issue of the arrest of the clan leaders. He warned against indiscipline, and revealed that he first learnt of the Kabaka’s presence from the bataka in June 2024.
“I have seen a letter to the Permanent Secretary, Foreign Affairs from the High Commissioner of Uganda to South Africa and Namibia, informing me of the indiscipline of some Ugandans vis a vis the Kabaka’s presence in Namibia for medical treatment which the Ugandans did not know about until the Bataka told me on the 8th of June, 2024, when they came with Hon. Sebugwawo,” Museveni wrote.
“I told them that we are not aware and nor are we involved in the issue of the HH Kabaka’s presence in Namibia.”
Making it clear that the state would have acted if the matter was under its jurisdiction, Museveni warned against using the issue of the Kabaka’s health to embarrass Uganda.
“Therefore, by the copies of this letter, I request all the Ugandans to stop embarrassing Uganda by opportunistically trying to show how much they are for the Kabaka. Apart from the Kabaka himself, the next level of authorization to visit him could be his family or whoever else he has authorized,” he said.
“These dramas are happening away from our jurisdiction. Otherwise, we would have taken action.”
It should be remembered that on July 01, the Kabaka spoke out on his health condition and plans to return from Namibia. (See Details Here).
