Uganda has withdrawn from the Invictus Games, just two months after announcing plans to participate in the international sporting event for wounded and injured military personnel and veterans.
The country’s withdrawal was announced by the Chief of Defence Forces of the Uganda People’s Defence Force, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, in a post on X.
Kainerugaba said Uganda decided to pull out to avoid being seen as acting against 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,” he wrote.
He added, “We shall not participate in anything that does not have His Majesty’s approval.”
Ugandan government spokesman Alan Kasujja subsequently confirmed the decision to the BBC, saying the military chief had the authority to determine whether the Uganda People’s Defence Force would participate.
“General Kainerugaba decides whether or not the UPDF participates in the Invictus Games. What you saw is his stated position. If it changes, he will let the world know,” Kasujja said.
The development comes shortly after Buckingham Palace clarified that Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, are no longer working members of the Royal Family.
A source close to the Sussexes linked Uganda’s withdrawal to the royal clarification, expressing concern that the competitors would ultimately bear the consequences.
“Sadly, the only people who will suffer are the Invictus Games competitors,” the source said.
However, royal sources reportedly maintained that King Charles supports initiatives aimed at assisting wounded service personnel.
The Invictus Games Foundation said it had not received formal notification of Uganda’s withdrawal and was seeking clarification from its contacts in the country.
Uganda’s participation in the next edition of the games, scheduled to take place in Birmingham, United Kingdom, in 2027, was announced in July during Prince Harry’s visit to London to promote the event.
The East African country had been expected to become the 26th nation to participate in the Invictus Games, which uses sport to support the recovery and rehabilitation of wounded, injured and sick military personnel and veterans.
