Namibia Denies Visa Extension for Ugandan King Mutebi II
The Namibian government has declined a request to extend the visa of King Mutebi II of the Buganda, who has been receiving medical treatment in the country since April. The decision, announced by the Ministry of International Relations, cites Namibian immigration law, which allows foreign citizens a maximum stay of 90 days per year.
The visa extension request, submitted by the medical center where the king is staying, comes amidst recent protests by Ugandan activists at Namibian diplomatic missions. Authorities expressed displeasure over these demonstrations, which called for transparency regarding the king’s condition and whereabouts.
“Having checked the records, I wish to inform you that the request for an extension is declined,” a ministry official stated, according to the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC).
The refusal has escalated diplomatic tensions between Namibia and Uganda. Ugandan envoy in South Africa noted Namibian authorities’ dissatisfaction with the harassment of their diplomatic staff over the king’s extended stay. In May, protests erupted at the Namibian High Commission in the UK, with demonstrators demanding details about the king’s condition, amid unfounded rumors of his kidnapping.
In response to the controversy, the Namibian government referred the matter to Buganda traditional authorities. Two weeks ago, Buganda chiefs traveled to Namibia seeking clarity on the king’s health, an action that drew diplomatic concerns and a reprimand from Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni.
“I request all the Ugandans to stop embarrassing Uganda by opportunistically trying to show how much they are for the Kabaka [king],” President Museveni said.
The delegation, reportedly without official authorization, was briefly detained by Namibian officials. Despite the Buganda king addressing his subjects via a pre-recorded video, speaking about his improving health and hopeful return, the situation remains tense.
Namibian officials maintain that the decision to enforce the 90-day stay limit is standard procedure. “There is nothing controversial about that,” Erastus Hailwa, a foreign relations officer, told local media.
Uganda has indicated its intention to respect Namibia’s decision. “Namibia has decided that they are not interested in this kind of bad publicity, and we should respect [their] position,” Uganda’s Foreign Minister Henry Oryem Okello told the Monitor newspaper. “We have to respect their rules and ways of life.”
Buganda, the largest of Uganda’s four ancient kingdoms, holds significant cultural influence despite lacking political power. The king’s health and his stay in Namibia continue to be closely monitored by both Buganda and the wider Ugandan community.
Source: BBC News Africa
