Uganda has withdrawn from the Invictus Games, an international sporting event for wounded and injured military personnel founded by Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, just two months after announcing its participation.
The decision was announced by Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, in a post on X, where he said the country was pulling out to avoid being perceived as acting against Britain’s King Charles III.
“In order not to be construed as being opposed to His Majesty King Charles III of the United Kingdom, whom we deeply revere, Uganda hereby withdraws from the Invictus Games,” Kainerugaba said.
He added: “We shall not participate in anything that does not have His Majesty’s approval.”
Ugandan government spokesman Alan Kasujja confirmed the withdrawal to the BBC, saying Kainerugaba was responsible for deciding whether the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) would participate in the event.
“What you saw is his stated position. If it changes, he will let the world know,” Kasujja said.
The announcement came days after a letter issued on behalf of King Charles clarified that Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, are no longer working members of the British Royal Family.
The Times newspaper reported that Kainerugaba had expressed concerns over what it described as the “Harry-Meghan nonsense”, although it remains unclear whether the royal status of the couple directly prompted Uganda’s withdrawal.
Royal sources, however, have said King Charles supports initiatives aimed at assisting wounded and injured service personnel.
Meanwhile, a spokesman for the Invictus Games said organisers had not received any official notification of Uganda’s withdrawal and were seeking clarification from their contacts in the country.
Uganda’s participation in the next edition of the games, scheduled to take place in Birmingham in 2027, was announced in July while Prince Harry was in London promoting the event.
The country had become the 26th nation to join the games, which promote the rehabilitation and resilience of wounded, injured and sick military personnel and veterans through sport.
