The management of Okonguarri Psychotherapeutic Center in Namibia has barred three Members of Parliament from visiting Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi of Buganda, who has been receiving treatment at the facility for over two months. The legislators were denied access despite Namibia’s Ambassador to Germany, Martin Andjaba, confirming that the King is not being detained and is receiving medical attention.
“Buganda Premier “Katikkiro” Charles Peter Mayiga has confirmed that Kabaka Mutebi is currently in Namibia, where he is resting and recuperating as advised by his doctor in Europe. The Kabaka has been receiving treatment at a private medical facility in Namibia for over two months, and his exact health status and whereabouts had been unknown to the public until now
“Despite Premier Mayiga’s assurance that Kabaka Mutebi is resting in Namibia, persistent allegations suggest that the monarch is actually receiving medical treatment at the facility, contradicting the official narrative. The exact nature of the Kabaka’s health issues remains unclear, fueling speculation and concern among his subjects.”
“Amidst the conflicting reports, a group of legislators from the Buganda caucus in parliament, seeking to verify the truth, secretly planned a trip to Namibia to gather firsthand information about the Kabaka’s condition. Their clandestine mission aims to uncover the reality behind the official statements and put an end to the speculation and rumors surrounding the monarch’s health.”
“Amidst the conflicting reports, a group of legislators from the Buganda caucus in parliament have decided to travel to Namibia to gather information about the Kabaka’s situation. Their trip aims to clarify the discrepancies in the official statements and provide a firsthand account of the monarch’s condition.”
“TV10GanoMazima has learned that three male legislators from the National Unity Platform (NUP) have traveled to Namibia without informing the Ugandan embassy or their party chairperson, Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi. The purpose of their trip is to investigate the situation surrounding the Kabaka’s health, amidst conflicting reports. Their decision to travel without official notification has raised eyebrows, suggesting a possible rift within the party or a desire to avoid protocol.”
“When reached for comment, one of the legislators involved in the trip confirmed the report to TV10GanoMazima, but requested anonymity, citing fear of reprisal from the Buganda Kingdom leadership. ‘Please don’t reveal my name, it will spark a war with the kingdom,’ the legislator pleaded, indicating a sensitive and potentially volatile situation.”
“In a clandestine conversation, a brave legislator risking reprisal confirmed the daring mission to TV10GanoMazima, but begged for anonymity, fearing the mighty Buganda Kingdom’s wrath. ‘Please, keep my name hidden,’ the legislator implored, ‘or it will ignite a fierce battle with the kingdom’s leadership.'”
“A legislator from the Greater Masaka region has confirmed that they were denied access to the Kabaka and revealed that they had advised the Buganda Kingdom clan heads to seek permission from the appropriate authorities before attempting to visit the monarch.
‘We were blocked from seeing the Kabaka,’ the legislator said, ‘and we have advised the clan heads to first seek permission from Mayiga, Prince David Kintu Wasajja, or Agness Nabalogo, as they are the ones authorized to grant access to the Kabaka.'”
“The legislator further stated that they attempted to contact Prince Joseph Ndawula, Uganda’s ambassador to Namibia, seeking his assistance in gaining access to the Kabaka, but he was unresponsive. Left with no other option, they decided to abandon their mission and return to Uganda, frustrated by the lack of cooperation from the embassy and the Buganda Kingdom officials.”
“This latest development comes on the heels of Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga’s decision to summon the executive members of the Buganda Kingdom clan heads council, a move seen as a significant escalation in the ongoing power struggle within the kingdom. The summoning of the clan heads council executive members has raised eyebrows, and the denial of access to the Kabaka for the legislators has only added fuel to the fire, hinting at a deeper rift within the kingdom’s leadership.”
“According to reliable sources within the clan council, a crucial meeting has been convened by Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga, slated for next Tuesday at Bulange Building, the seat of Buganda Kingdom’s administration.
The high-stakes gathering is expected to take place at the kingdom’s headquarters, fueling speculation about the agenda and potential outcomes, given the current tensions and power struggles within the kingdom’s leadership.”
“Although Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga has not publicly disclosed the reasons behind summoning the clan council leadership, sources close to the matter reveal that the meeting will likely address two pressing issues: the clan heads’ planned trip to Namibia to visit the Kabaka, and their recent meeting with President Museveni at State House. The agenda is shrouded in mystery, but speculation suggests that Mayiga may be seeking to assert his authority and clarify the kingdom’s stance on these sensitive matters.”
“According to a clan head, the council’s decision to visit the Kabaka in Namibia was met with resistance from the council speaker, Omutaka Austine Kizito Mutumba. He allegedly begged the council to reconsider the resolution, fearing it would put him at odds with Mayiga and exacerbate their already strained relationship. However, the clan heads dismissed his pleas and proceeded with their plans, setting the stage for a potential showdown with the kingdom’s administration.”
“The clan head confidently asserted that Mayiga’s opposition is futile, as they have already received President Museveni’s approval and assurance to facilitate their visit to the Kabaka in Namibia. He claimed that with the President’s backing, they have the necessary clearance to proceed, rendering Mayiga’s attempts to block their trip futile.”
He revealed that there are only two people who haven’t yet finalized their travel documents because they did not have passports.
“By Thursday morning, we will be on the plane going to check on our beloved chairperson (Kabaka). Who is Mayiga to stop us from visiting Kabaka, even the president told us that he doesn’t like him and his ministers, and in Buganda kingdom, he only recognizes Kabaka, us the abataka and even informed the Nnabagereka when he met her recently,” a clan head said.
It is not clear what mechanism Mayiga and Mutumba are going to deploy to stop clan heads from visiting Kabaka because they have been trying to frustrate them from meeting President Museveni but they overrun them.
“During the last Buganda Kingdom parliamentary session, Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga rejected a request by Professor Badru Katerega, a representative in the kingdom’s parliament, who sought guidance from the administration for those wishing to visit the Kabaka in Namibia. Mayiga’s refusal to allow the prayer suggests a desire to maintain control over who accesses the monarch, fueling speculation about the kingdom’s internal power dynamics.”
“In an interview with TV10GanoMazima, Omutaka Austine Kizito Mutumba, the Speaker of the Buganda Kingdom Clan Heads Council, clarified that his role is merely ceremonial and he lacks the authority to dictate the actions of the clan heads. He emphasized that the council members are autonomous and free to make decisions that they deem beneficial for their respective clans and the kingdom as a whole, distancing himself from any potential controversy.”
“Omutaka Austine Kizito Mutumba, the Speaker of the Buganda Kingdom Clan Heads Council, revealed to TV10GanoMazima, that he was not privy to the State House meeting that took place last week, but he expressed his delight with the outcome. He welcomed the President’s commitment to support the kingdom’s efforts to alleviate poverty among the clan heads and their grandchildren, indicating that the meeting’s resolution aligns with his own goals for the kingdom’s development.”
“According to Omutaka Austine Kizito Mutumba, President Museveni made a further commitment to support the Buganda Kingdom by offering to deploy UPDF engineering experts to assist in the construction of a commercial building on land purchased by the President for the kingdom in 2023. The proposed building will be located opposite the Bulange building, the kingdom’s headquarters, and is seen as a significant development project for the kingdom.”
“President Museveni also pledged to support the Bataka Mutindo SACCO, a savings and credit cooperative society for the clan heads, by depositing Shs200m, which will be used to support their economic empowerment and fight poverty among their members. This financial boost is expected to enhance the SACCO’s capabilities to provide loans and other financial services to its members, promoting economic development and prosperity within the kingdom.”
“However, in a stark contrast to the recent overtures, Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga had previously taken a firm stance in 2023, warning that he would not tolerate anyone attempting to deceive or manipulate members of the kingdom’s organs, potentially dividing the Kabaka’s subjects. Mayiga’s statement suggests a desire to maintain unity and order within the kingdom, and may be seen as a veiled warning to those seeking to undermine his authority or create divisions within the kingdom.”
“The Buganda Kingdom parliament passed a resolution condemning the clan heads’ visit to President Museveni, and called on them to apologize for their actions. However, the clan heads refused to apologize, arguing that the Kingdom parliament and Katikkiro Mayiga lack the authority to dictate their actions or impose penalties on them. This defiance suggests a deepening rift between the clan heads and the kingdom’s administration, with both sides asserting their independence and autonomy.”
“The clan heads are adamant that they are an autonomous entity within the Buganda kingdom’s cultural framework, and as such, they are not subordinate to the kingdom’s administration led by Katikkiro Mayiga. They emphasize their historic role as the electors of the Kabaka and assert their independence, refusing to be coerced into apologizing for their actions. This stance highlights the complex power dynamics within the kingdom, with the clan heads seeking to preserve their traditional authority and resist what they perceive as attempts to erode their influence.”
“In an effort to resolve the impasse between Katikkiro Mayiga and the clan heads, a mediation committee was established, chaired by David Kisitu Mpanga, the Kingdom’s Lands Minister and a prominent commercial lawyer. The committee aims to facilitate dialogue and negotiations between the two parties, seeking a mutually acceptable solution to the ongoing dispute. Mpanga’s legal expertise and impartial stance are hoped to help bridge the gap and find a peaceful resolution.”
“Israel Kitooke Kazibwe, the Buganda Kingdom spokesperson and Minister in charge of mobilization, dismissed the notion that clan heads are independent, stating that all leadership in the kingdom ultimately falls under the authority of Kabaka Mutebi. Kazibwe emphasized that there is no room for independence or autonomy within the kingdom’s leadership structure, as all entities and individuals are subject to the Kabaka’s sovereignty. This stance directly challenges the clan heads’ assertion of independence, further highlighting the ongoing power struggle within the kingdom.”
