WINDHOEK: Given the ongoing disruptions, the security concerns for diplomatic staff, and in line with Namibia’s laws and international law, the Namibian Government has decided not to extend the visa of His Royal Highness Ronald Mutebi II of the Kingdom of Buganda.

The Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security (MHAISS), in coordination with the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation, has communicated with the King’s Palace, his medical team in Namibia, and Ugandan authorities to inform them of the decision and the reasons behind it.

MHAISS Executive Director Etienne Maritz made the announcement in a press release on Friday.

Maritz said the King entered Namibia on 14 April 2024 for a private medical visit, and was staying at an undisclosed location. Under Section 29 of the Immigration Control Act, 1993, he was granted a maximum stay of 90 days, as applicable to non-Namibians.

Maritz stated that although the visit was private, it generated controversy among some of his subjects
who were not informed of his travels.

These subjects made allegations that their King was being illegally detained in Namibia and accused the Namibian Government of conspiring with Ugandan authorities to abduct him. They demanded his unconditional release from what they claimed was detention in Namibia, he said.

‘These allegations led to demonstrations by some subjects of the Buganda Kingdom at Namibia’s diplomatic missions worldwide. The protests threatened the security of Namibian diplomatic officials, which is prohibited under international law. The demonstrations compromised the safety of Namibia’s personnel abroad and interfered with the operations and security of Namibia’s diplomatic missions,’ he said.

The ED added that the Namibian Government was under the impression that the King’s visit was purely private and that there was no intention to interfere with his medical visit, however, despite engaging with Ugandan authorities and the royal family to call for an end to the disruptions, the activities
continued.

These actions were seen as attempts to tarnish Namibia’s reputation and undermine the good bilateral relations between the two countries, he said.

‘Namibia, as a sovereign state, upholds the right to enforce its laws and adhere to international law. The decision to not extend the King’s visa is based on maintaining security and respecting bilateral relations,’ Maritz summarised.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency