Bunyoro King Gafabusa airlifted to Kampala for medical treatment

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HOIMA

The Omukama of Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom, Dr. Solomon Gafusa Iguru 1, is in Kampala for further management of his health.

The Omukama flew from Booma grounds (Hoima) aboard a UPDF helicopter which took him to Kampala city. 

Huge crowds gathered at the grounds as they watched the palace staff and close family move Gafabusa to the aircraft.

Palace sources had by press time not revealed the name of the health facility. Gafabusa was admitted at around 12:30pm.

The Omukama, who was lying on a mobile bed, was accompanied by the Omugo Margret Karuga Adyeeri and prince Richard kItahimbwa, who is the principal private secretary to the King.

Andrew Kirungi Byakutaaga, the Kingdom’s prime minister, in a public press statement confirmed that Gafabusa is in Kampala for treatment.

According to Byakutaga, on October 14, President Yoweri Museveni sent his personal doctor to assess Omukama's condition. The medic, he added, reported that the Omukama was stable but having flu and cough.

However, contradicting the report, Fred Rucunya Mugenyi, the chief prince (Okwiri) of Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom yesterday said that the Omukama’s health had worsened forcing President Museveni to dispatch the helicopter to evacuate the king for medication.

“Our king's health is not well and we have made all the arrangements to have him taken to Kampala for further medication,” he said.

Okwiri also confirmed that added that a medical doctor from the state house was at the palace yesterday to examine the health of the King.

Some people at Boma grounds were hopeful that since he has been evacuated, the king will get better treatment. 

Recently, members of the Bunyoro Kingdom ruling clan, the Babiito, have welcomed the decision by the High Court to have the Omukama of Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom, Dr. Solomon Gafabusa Agutamba Rukirabasiija Iguru, be taken for specialized treatment outside the country.

The Hoima High Court, Judge Jesse Byaruhanga, issued a judgement directing for the immediate evacuation of the king abroad for treatment.

The ruling was a result of an application filed in 2014 by Prince Apolo Kisoro, the former Bunyoro Kingdom Minister for Tourism, and Personal Assistant to the King following the King’s ill health.

Prince Kisoro, in his application was seeking the court to issue orders to take the King to the hospital for medical treatment in India, because he was ill yet those taking charge of him were not bothered about his deteriorating health condition.

Prince Kisoro said that he was happy with the ruling and that arrangements have to be made to have the king taken for treatment.

In the ruling, Justice Byaruhanga ordered that the Omukama of Bunyoro is mandated to enjoy his right to health irrespective of his current health status. He added that the King should be taken for medical examination and further management when found sick or ill.

In his Application, Prince Kisoro disclosed that he had secured appointments with different Hospitals in New Delhi India and had mobilized enough financial resources to take care of the King’s Medical Treatment, travel and attendants.

He further stated then that, he had mobilized enough resources to take care of the King’s medical treatment thus the cost of treatment or medical consultation by the King would be catered to by the applicant and there is no risk of the King being stuck in the hospital anywhere.