Namibia denies visa extension for King of Buganda

In a surprising turn of events, the government has declined the visa extension request for Ronald Mutebi II, the King of the Buganda tribe of Uganda. King Mutebi, who travelled to Namibia for medical treatment in April, will not be allowed to extend his stay beyond the maximum 90 days set by the Immigration Control Act of 1993, as confirmed by Penda Naanda, the Executive Director of the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation.

This decision comes as Namibia prepares to implement new visa-on-arrival regulations that will require nationals from 33 countries, including Belgium, Australia, and Germany, to pay a fee of N$ 1,600 upon arrival starting April 1, 2025. Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety, and Security, Lucia Witbooi, stressed the need for reciprocity, highlighting that many countries have not matched Namibia’s previous goodwill in exempting them from visa requirements.

“Since the exemption was granted 33 years ago, it’s time to review our policies,” Witbooi stated. She pointed out that while Namibia offered visa-free access, several nations, including Canada and the UK, imposed new visa requirements on Namibian passport holders in recent years.

The government’s recent decisions, according to the Namibia Press Agency, signal a shift towards stricter immigration controls and a call for international reciprocity, as Namibia reassesses its diplomatic relationships in an evolving global landscape.