Bunyoro King Gafabusa returns home after medical treatment

HOIMA - Hundreds braved the harsh sunshine and lined up the streets of  Hoima city on Tuesday afternoon as the news of the return of Omukama Solomon Gafabusa Iguru circulated in parts of Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom.

Huge crowds gathered to receive Gafabusa who has been undergoing medical treatment in Kampala.

At exactly 4:40 PM, a helicopter landed at Booma grounds where several kingdom and government officials were waiting for the Omukama.

Shortly, the Omukama was helped to step out of the chopper, attracting cheers from several subjects who had camped at the grounds as early as 11:00am.

Several subjects of the Omukama got excited upon his return on his route to the palace where special prayers were conducted in thanksgiving for steady recovery. (Courtesy Photo)

Security struggled to control the huge crowds of people that blocked the Omukama’s motorcade at Booma grounds.

Several subjects of the Omukama got excited with some laying on the tarmac when he stepped out of the car on his route to the palace where special prayers were conducted in thanksgiving for steady recovery.

Dignitaries who received him at Booma rounds included the prime minister of Bunyoro kingdom Andrew Byakutaga, the chairperson of the kingdom's royal commission and presidential advisor on oil and gas Dr. Kabagambe Kaliisa, the mayor of Hoima City Bryan Kaboyo and several other officials. 

The Omukama was in company of the Queen Margret Karunga Adyeeri who looked happy and continued to wave to the crowds all the way from Booma grounds to the royal palace.

Byakutaga said that they were happy that the king who had been rushed to Kampala three weeks ago was returning to his kingdom.

Solomon Gafabusa Iguru

“We are happy that today we have received back our king to his kingdom," he remarked. Byakutaga appreciated President Yoweri Museveni for dispatching a military helicopter to airlift the Omukama when he was unwell.

Gafabusa was on October 22, discharged from the hospital where he has been undergoing medical treatment.

After discharge, he stayed at his palace in Kampala for about three weeks on what was termed close monitoring and has been undergoing treatment at an undisclosed hospital since October 17 when he was airlifted to Kampala.

Before seeking treatment in Kampala, Gafabusa was unwell and his presence in the public has been restricted for close to four years and he has not performed the empango rituals.

According to the kingdom, on October 14, President Yoweri Museveni sent his personal doctor to assess the health status of the omukama and the doctor found the Omukama stable but having flu and cough.