Uganda has withdrawn from the Invictus Games, an international sporting event for wounded and injured military personnel founded by Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, just two months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.
Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, announced the decision in a post on X, saying the country was pulling out to avoid being seen as opposing 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 that Uganda would not participate in any initiative that did not have the approval of the King.
Ugandan government spokesperson Alan Kasujja confirmed the decision, saying Kainerugaba was responsible for determining whether the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) would participate in the games.
The development comes shortly after Buckingham Palace clarified that Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, are no longer working members of the British Royal Family.
According to reports, Kainerugaba’s decision was linked to what he described as the “Harry-Meghan nonsense” and concerns about the royal couple’s relationship with the monarchy.
However, royal sources have maintained that King Charles supports initiatives that promote the welfare and rehabilitation of wounded service personnel.
The Invictus Games organisers said they had not received formal notification of Uganda’s withdrawal and were seeking clarification from their contacts in the country.
Uganda had been announced as the 26th nation to participate in the next edition of the Invictus Games, scheduled to take place in Birmingham, United Kingdom, next year.
The games bring together wounded, injured and sick military personnel and veterans from participating countries for sporting events aimed at supporting their recovery and rehabilitation.
