By Kabuye Ronald
Buganda kingdom in Uganda has mourned the the south African Zulu king Goodwill Zwelithini who passed on friday.
Addressing a press conference, the Buganda premier Charles Peter Mayiga said that the late has been a close and great friend to Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi ii (The reigning king of Buganda Kingdom)
Mayiga added that the late king attended both Kabaka Mutebi’s coronation and his wedding in 1995 and 1999 respectively.
King Zwelithini died in hospital where he was being treated for diabetes-related issues.
The king, 72, was the leader of South Africa’s largest ethnic group and an influential traditional ruler.
He was admitted to hospital in KwaZulu-Natal last week to monitor his ongoing diabetes condition.
The king’s prime minister thanked South Africa for its “continued prayers and support in this most difficult time”
President Cyril Ramaphosa said that he will be accorded a state funeral – normally reserved for presidents and former leaders.
The date has not been announced but in the meantime, national flags will fly at half-mast.
He will lie in state in the royal palace in Nongoma, about 300km (185 miles) from Durban where he was in hospital, for a “few days”, according to his uncle, Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi.