General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Uganda's chief of defence and son of President Yoweri Museveni, posted on the social media platform X on Thursday that Uganda would not take part in the upcoming Invictus Games. In his announcement he said the withdrawal was "in order not to be construed as being opposed to His Majesty King Charles III" and added that the country would not engage in any activity lacking the King's approval.
Ugandan government spokesman Alan Kasujja told the BBC that participation in the games is decided by General Kainerugaba and that any change in position would be communicated publicly. The timing of the decision follows a letter from King Charles to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle that clarified they remain non‑working royals, a development a source close to the Sussexes said prompted Uganda's pull‑out, warning that the athletes would be the ones to suffer the consequences.
Royal commentators have noted that King Charles traditionally supports initiatives that aid wounded service personnel, while an Invictus Games spokesperson said no official notification of the withdrawal had been received and that the organisation was seeking clarification from its Ugandan contacts. The games, founded by Prince Harry, celebrate the rehabilitation of injured military men and women and are slated to be held in Birmingham next year.
Uganda's participation had been announced in July, when Prince Harry was in London promoting the event, making the country the 26th nation to join the competition. The sudden reversal highlights the sensitivity of the royal family's recent public standing and the diplomatic nuances influencing sporting events linked to the British monarchy.
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Category: International
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