NAMIBIA has declined a request to extend the visa of King Mutebi II of Buganda, who has been in the country for medical treatment since April. According to Namibia’s international relations ministry, immigration law restricts foreign citizens to a maximum stay of 90 days per year.
This decision comes amid diplomatic tensions and protests by Ugandan activists at Namibian diplomatic missions. The activists have been demanding transparency regarding the king’s extended stay, with some even alleging kidnapping.
State broadcaster NBC reported that a ministry official confirmed the denial after reviewing the records. Recently, Namibian authorities expressed dissatisfaction over the harassment of their diplomatic officials concerning the king’s stay.
In May, protests erupted at the Namibian High Commission in the UK, with demonstrators demanding information about the king’s whereabouts. They wanted assurance that the king had not been kidnapped, the BBC reported.
Namibia subsequently referred the issue to Buganda traditional authorities. Two weeks ago, Buganda chiefs travelled to Namibia to check on the king’s health, sparking diplomatic concerns and drawing criticism from Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni. He urged Ugandans to avoid embarrassing the country by overzealously supporting the Kabaka (king).
The delegation, which had not received official authorisation, was briefly detained and questioned by Namibian officials. This happened despite King Mutebi II addressing his subjects in a pre-recorded video, assuring them of his improving health and hopeful return.
Namibian officials reiterated that it is standard practice for foreign nationals to return home after a 90-day stay. Erastus Hailwa, a foreign relations officer, stated, ‘There is nothing controversial about that.’
Uganda has accepted Namibia’s decision. Uganda’s Foreign Minister Henry Oryem Okello told the Monitor newspaper, ‘Namibia has decided that they are not interested in this kind of bad publicity, and we should respect their position.’ He emphasised respecting Namibian laws, noting that many people had turned the country into a casual destination.
Buganda, the largest of Uganda’s four ancient kingdoms, holds significant cultural influence despite lacking political power.
