Uganda Pulls Out of Invictus Games to Respect Royal Harmony

The chief of Uganda’s defence forces announced on the social media platform X that the country will no longer take part in the Invictus Games, a competition for wounded veterans hosted by the Duke of Sussex. The declaration came after Uganda had indicated summer 2023 that it would send athletes in July, when Prince Harry was in London to lobby for the event.

General Muhoozi Kainerugaba said the decision was made to avoid the appearance that Uganda was taking a stance against the reigning monarch, King Charles III—who he says the country holds in deep reverence. “We shall not participate in anything that does not have His Majesty’s approval,” the general wrote in an overnight X message.

A Ugandan government spokesperson confirmed that the general has the authority to end or welcome participation in such events and that any future reversal would be communicated to the world. The Friday post followed a letter sent earlier in the week on behalf of the king, stating that Prince Harry and his wife Meghan were not working members of the royal family.

International organisers of the Invictus Games were not yet aware of the withdrawal and asked for clarification from contacts in Uganda. The games, slated to be hosted in Birmingham next year, aim to celebrate the resilience of service men and women who have recovered from injuries or trauma.

While the statements from senior Ugandan troops insisted the move was a diplomatic nuance rather than a political rejection of the royal family, speculations from press outlets in Uganda suggest the decision may respond to tensions surrounding the “Harry‑Meghan nonsense.” The country’s late involvement as the 26th participant was highlighted during the Duke’s press tour.

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