Uganda's military chief, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, announced the country will withdraw from the Invictus Games unless King Charles III approves the event. Kainerugaba said he acted to counter defence ministry elements he described as backing the "Harry-Meghan nonsense." Uganda had been confirmed on 7 July as the Invictus community's 26th nation and the first from East Africa. The next Games are scheduled for Birmingham in July next year, and organisers understand Prince Harry would like the King to open the event.
Uganda Withdraws From Invictus Games, Citing Need For King Charles' Approval
DUBBO, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 17: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex visit a local farming family, the Woodleys, on October 17, 2018 in Dubbo, Australia. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are on their official 16-day Autumn tour visiting cities in Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand. (Photo by Chris Jackson - Pool/Getty Images) (Getty Images)
Uganda's top military commander has announced the country will withdraw from Prince Harry's Invictus Games unless the event proceeds with the explicit approval of King Charles III.
General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who is both the son of Uganda's president and the head of the country's armed forces, posted the decision on X (formerly Twitter), saying Kampala would not take part in anything that could be construed as opposing the monarch.
Harry launched the Invictus Games in 2014 (@ Getty Images for the Invictus Ga)
"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 wrote on the social platform.
He added: "We shall not participate in anything that does not have His Majesty's approval."
When asked by The Times about his motivation, Kainerugaba said he had to act because "factions in the Ministry of Defence" supported what he called the "Harry-Meghan nonsense," and that he moved to quash those sympathies. He reiterated his support for the monarch, saying simply: "Period."
Background
The Invictus Games, a sporting event for wounded, injured and sick service personnel launched by Prince Harry in 2014, had recently welcomed Uganda into its community. On 7 July in London, Uganda was presented as the 26th Invictus community nation and the first from East Africa, after a prior announcement with Uganda's defence minister and Prince Harry.
Harry and Charles have been in touch since Harry landed in the UK (@ Samir Hussein/WireImage)
The next Invictus Games are scheduled to take place in Birmingham in July next year. Organisers have indicated that Prince Harry would like King Charles to formally open the event — a detail that appears central to Kampala's decision.
Royal Relations and Conflicting Reports
The announcement comes amid mixed reporting about the current state of relations between Prince Harry and King Charles following the Duke of Sussex's return to the UK. Some outlets suggested the two had not yet spoken, while others — including Australian royal correspondent Bronte Coy — reported sources confirming a phone call between father and son during the week after Harry's arrival, although no face-to-face meeting had occurred at that time. The King was at Balmoral, his Scottish residence, when Harry returned.
This development highlights how domestic political considerations and symbolic loyalty to the monarchy can influence decisions about international events, particularly those tied to high-profile figures and institutions.
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