The Katikkiro of Buganda kingdom, Charles Peter Mayiga, has spoken out on Kabaka’s health condition strongly disputing allegations that the Kabaka, Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II, was poisoned.
Since making a public appearance , after a couple of months, this week on Tuesday April 13 to mark his 66th birthday many people in Buganda and Uganda have questioned the state he was in, he looked sick, frail and had visibly lost weight.
Many have since taken to social media to allege that the Kabaka was poisoned and demanding that he is flown out of the country for better treatment.
However, at a press briefing on Friday afternoon, Mayiga who acknowledged being privy to the allegations, revealed that the Kabaka is challenged by allergies which he said are being appropriately managed.
“Those who blessed the occasion at Mengo palace on that day and those who followed the events on television and social media, may have noticed that the Kabaka’s disposition was different from that his subjects and the general public are used to. We all face health challenges from time to time and they need to be effectively managed”
“In the Kabaka’s case, the challenges are related to allergies which when they attack him, cause breathing difficulties especially when he has a mask or a shield over his face. The allergies are being effectively managed by the appropriate medical experts,” added the Katikiro.
According to Mayo Clinic, Allergies occur when one’s immune system reacts to a foreign substance — such as pollen, bee venom or pet dander — or a food that doesn’t cause a reaction in most people.
The person’s immune system produces substances known as antibodies. When one has allergies, his or her immune system makes antibodies that identify a particular allergen as harmful, even though it isn’t. When a person comes into contact with the allergen, his or her immune system’s reaction can inflame the skin, sinuses, airways or digestive system.
The medics says the severity of allergies varies from person to person and can range from minor irritation to anaphylaxis — a potentially life-threatening emergency. They also add that while most allergies can’t be cured, treatments can help relieve one’s allergy symptoms.
On allegations that Kabaka had been poisoned, the Katikiro said, “The rumors doing the rounds that the Kabaka was poisoned are totally false. I would also like to dispel rumours being posted on different social media platforms, they are baseless and should be totally disregarded, otherwise, they will cause undue anxiety. I would like to assure the people of Buganda and all Ugandans that the Kabaka’s condition is managed with requisite expertise and we hope and pray that the Kabaka will receive full recovery soon.”
Yesterday Thursday morning, the Kabaka graced Capital Shoppers supermarket in Ntinda for some shopping. He is seen in a video clip, dressed in a casual outfit and walking through the supermarket, a development that Mayiga has confirmed, saying the Kabaka had things he wanted to buy himself.