In brief
Uganda announced it would join Prince Harry’s Invictus Games in July, only two months later the country withdrew. Chief of defence General Muhoozi Kainerugaba said the move was to avoid appearing opposed to King Charles III and that the army would only participate if the king approved. The decision follows a letter that clarified that Prince Harry and Meghan are non‑working royals, a point that has caused unease in Ugandan circles. The Invictus Games organisers admit no official notice of withdrawal and will seek clarification from Ugandan officials before next year’s event in Birmingham.
Uganda has withdrawn from the Invictus Games, a competition for wounded military veterans organised by Prince Harry, only two months after the country announced it would participate.
Chief of defence General Muhoozi Kainerugaba posted on X that the Ukrainian army would not take part in the event in order not to be construed as opposed to His Majesty King Charles III, whom the general says they deeply revere.
In an official statement the army said that the decision to participate rests solely with the general and that should he change his mind he would inform the world.
The backdrop to the reversal is a letter this week that made clear Prince Harry and Meghan are no longer working royals, a point the Ugandan military found troubling.
The Invictus Games organisers have not received a formal notice of withdrawal and are seeking clarification from Ugandan contacts while the next Games are scheduled to be held in Birmingham next year.
Uganda joined the Games in July when Prince Harry was in London promoting the event, moving from a 26th participant to a brief engagement that ended amid diplomatic concerns.
