By Frank Kamuntu
The Omukama of Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom, Dr. Solomon Gafabusa Iguru I, was flown to Kampala on October 14 for further medical treatment, sparking concern among his subjects. The King, accompanied by close family and palace staff, was airlifted from Booma grounds in Hoima aboard a Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) helicopter. The evacuation drew a large crowd at the grounds, anxiously watching as the King was moved onto the aircraft.
While palace officials did not disclose the exact health facility where Omukama would receive treatment, sources confirmed that his transfer to Kampala was necessitated by a worsening health condition. The Omukama was accompanied by his wife, Omugo Margaret Karuga Adyeeri, and Prince Richard Kitahimbwa, the King’s principal private secretary.
Andrew Kirungi Byakutaaga, the Prime Minister of Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom, issued a public statement confirming that the Omukama had been evacuated for medical care in the capital. Byakutaaga noted that earlier this week, President Yoweri Museveni had dispatched his doctor to assess the King’s condition, reporting that the Omukama was suffering from flu and cough but was otherwise stable.
However, contradicting this report, Fred Rucunya Mugenyi, the chief prince (Okwiri) of Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom, revealed that the King’s condition had worsened, prompting President Museveni to intervene and send the UPDF helicopter for emergency evacuation. “Our king’s health is not well, and we have made all arrangements to have him taken to Kampala for further treatment,” Okwiri said.
The evacuation has renewed attention to the long-standing concerns about the Omukama’s health. In a notable development, members of Bunyoro’s royal clan, the Babiito, recently welcomed a ruling by the Hoima High Court that directed the evacuation of the King for specialized treatment abroad. The judgment came after an application was filed in 2014 by Prince Apolo Kisoro, the former Bunyoro Kingdom Minister for Tourism and Personal Assistant to the King, who argued that the King’s deteriorating health required urgent medical intervention.
Prince Kisoro, who had pushed for the King to be flown to India for treatment, expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision, emphasizing that all necessary arrangements had been made to facilitate the Omukama’s treatment overseas. In his ruling, Justice Jesse Byaruhanga underscored the King’s right to health and ordered that the Omukama be taken for medical evaluation and care when deemed necessary.
The King’s health remains a pressing concern for the people of Bunyoro, with many hoping that his transfer to Kampala will mark the beginning of his recovery. The recent events have also sparked a larger conversation about the importance of ensuring adequate medical care for traditional leaders in Uganda.
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