Uganda has pulled out of the Invictus Games, a competition for wounded military veterans organised by the Duke of Sussex, only two months after the country confirmed its participation. The decision was announced by General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the chief of defence and son of President Yoweri Museveni, in a post on X.
In the overnight message, the general said Uganda’s withdrawal was “in order not to be construed as being opposed to His Majesty King Charles III”. He added that the UPDF would only take part in events that have the king’s approval.
Ugandan government spokesman Alan Kasujja told the BBC that General Kainerugaba alone decides whether the Uganda People’s Defence Force participates in the Invictus Games, and that any change in position would be communicated to the world.
The announcement follows a letter sent earlier this week on behalf of the king, which clarified that Prince Harry and Meghan are no longer working royals. A report in The Times quoted the general’s concerns about the “Harry‑Meghan nonsense” as a possible backdrop to the decision.
Royal sources have said the king encourages projects that support wounded service personnel. A spokesperson for the Invictus Games said they had not received any official notice of a potential withdrawal and were seeking clarification from Ugandan contacts.
Uganda had become the 26th country to take part in the Games when it announced its participation in July, during Prince Harry’s promotion of the event in London. The next Games will be held in Birmingham next year.
