Rwenzururu King Omusinga Mumbere Flown to Turkey for Urgent Medical Treatment Review

Rwenzururu Kingdom has moved to calm growing concern over the health of Omusinga Charles Wesley Mumbere after revealing that the monarch has been flown to Turkey for a medical review.

The development has placed the health of the Rwenzururu king back in the spotlight, months after he returned to Uganda following specialised treatment in Turkey and a prolonged period of convalescence in Kampala.

Mumbere quietly left Uganda late on August 27 and arrived in Turkey early the following morning, according to Geoffrey Kanyonyi, spokesperson for the Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu.

Kanyonyi told government daily New Vision that the Omusinga departed Uganda at 11:00pm on August 27 and landed in Turkey at 5:37am on August 28.

But the kingdom was quick to head off fears that the latest trip was triggered by a fresh medical crisis.

Kanyonyi appealed

to the subjects and friends of the kingdom not to panic, noting that the Omusinga was attending “a normal medical review following his earlier admission at the same facility in Turkey last year.”

The statement is likely to provide some relief to Rwenzururu subjects who have remained closely concerned about the King’s health since his return from Turkey last year.

Mumbere’s long medical journey

It is understood that the Omusinga travelled to Turkey in October 2025 for specialised medical treatment.

He remained there for several weeks before returning to Uganda in December.

Rather than immediately resuming his royal activities in Kasese, Mumbere stayed at his Kampala-based palace as he continued his recovery.

His convalescence lasted until March 2026, when he eventually returned to his kingdom.

His latest journey to Turkey therefore comes only months after he resumed his presence in the Rwenzururu Kingdom.

The kingdom, however, insists there is no reason for panic.

Kanyonyi appealed to subjects to remain calm and continue participating in activities already lined up on the kingdom’s calendar.

Mumbere’s 60-year coronation milestone

The King’s medical review comes at a particularly significant moment for the Rwenzururu Kingdom.

The kingdom is preparing to mark a major milestone in Mumbere’s reign — his diamond jubilee coronation celebrations.

The event is scheduled for October 19, 2026.

Another major activity on the calendar is the King’s birthday run, scheduled for November 14.

Kanyonyi urged Rwenzururu subjects to remain united and ensure that the King’s absence does not derail the kingdom’s programmes.

The message from the kingdom is clear: while the Omusinga is away receiving medical attention, preparations for the royal celebrations should continue.

Following the raid on his palace about a decade ago, Omusinga was in prison for months and his movements restricted for years until charges against him were dropped in 2023.

The general who commanded the raid against Omusinga’s palace, Peter Elwelu, has since retired and fallen out with the military’s top commander. (See Details Here, There and Over There).