Namibia explains refusal to extend Kabaka’s visa

The government of Namibia has explained circumstances under which it declined to grant  visa extension to Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi in the country.

The Kabaka entered Namibia on April 14, 2024, for a private medical visit but  his visa was not extended following its expiry.

In a statement on Friday, the Namibian Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety, and Security said subjects of the Kabaka had started maligning the country accusing of the government of illegally detaining the monarch.

“That the Namibian government conspired with the Ugandan authorities in abducting His Royal Highness, and thus demanded his unconditional release from detention in Namibia.Whilst the visit of His Royal Highness was purely private, it generated much controversy with some of his subjects, who seem not to have been briefed about the travels of His Royal Highness,” Namibia said.

A section of Baganda have in the past three months held demonstrations at various Namibian embassies across the world demanding to see the Kabaka.

Others claimed that the monarch had been “detained” against “his will” and blamed Namibia of having a hand.

However, according to the Namibian government, with such allegations flying, they could not give chance to more of that.

“Such malicious allegations were not only meant to tarnish Namibia’s respected reputation and standing in the eyes of the international community, but were also meant to undermine the good bilateral relations that exist between the two countries.”

According to Namibia, their government has in the past tried to engage with Buganda and the government in Kampala to call these subjects to order but no tangible results came out.

“As such, based on the good bilateral relations between the two countries and peoples, the security considerations of our diplomatic staff, in line with Namibia’s laws, and in accordance with international law, the government of the Republic of Namibia is unable to extend the visa of His Royal Highness Ronald Mutebi II, King of the Buganda Kingdom.”

President Museveni recently said the Buganda clan heads who went to Namibia without permission tainted Uganda’s image abroad.

He noted that apart from the Kabaka himself, the next level of authorization to visit him could be his family or whoever else he has authorized.

“These dramas are happening away from our jurisdiction. Otherwise, we would have taken action.”