Members of the royal family, led by Prince Jjunju, have urged the people of Buganda to be patient and respect Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi’s privacy until he fully recovers.
“We ask that the people of Buganda continue to exercise patience and accord ‘Ssabasajja’ with the respect and privacy that it deserves,” Jjunju said.
He was speaking after the return of the Kabaka after three months in Namibia where he has been undergoing treatment.
The Kabaka was being treated at Okonguarri Psychotherapeutic Centre where he was referred to by his German doctors.
However, his stay was cut short when authorities in Namibia declined to renew his visa after sections of the public protested over his stay in the African country.
Namibia said the protests maligned the country’s image in the international community and they could not allow it anymore.
Speaking on Monday, Prince Crispin Jjunju emphasized that the Kabaka is still on his path to recovery and therefore needs more time to rest before resuming his royal duties actively.
“With Ssabasajja back in Buganda, we must say that he’s still on his recovery journey. It is very important that he has time and space to ease back into the full roster of royal duties. We the members of his family will be here to assist him in this regard.”
The royal family also condemns individuals who tarnished the Namibian government’s name by spreading false rumours about Kabaka’s condition.
They apologized for this “disrespectful” conduct.
“It is unfortunate that a few self-seekers and misguided people abused this hospitality and spread false rumours about Ssabasajja’s condition as well as the reason for his being in Namibia. We, as a family, deeply regret and condemn the hateful and disrespectful conduct of these people, which goes against the grain of our well-known and admired customary norms of ‘Obuntu Bulamu’.” He added.
The royal family hailed the Namibian government for their hospitality during the past three months that the Kabaka has stayed there.
“To the government and the people of Namibia who have hosted Ssabasajja over the past three months or so. We’re very grateful for your warm and generous hospitality. Namibia is a beautiful and blessed country. This is the reason why Ssabasajja chose to have his treatment and rest there.”
The royal family also expressed appreciation to Charles Peter Mayiga, the Katikkiro of Buganda, and other subjects of the Kabaka for ensuring the smooth continuation of the Kingdom’s duties.
They also appreciated the medical team and the staff that have been treating and managing Kabaka’s condition over the past few months in Germany, and Namibia.
“We also thank the government of Uganda, more so, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for their efforts in liaising with the government of Namibia to ensure a stress-free stay of the Kabaka in Namibia.”
