Uganda has announced it will withdraw from the Invictus Games, the international multisport competition for wounded military personnel founded by Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex. The announcement came in an overnight post on X from General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Uganda's military chief and son of President Yoweri Museveni, who declared that his country would "not participate in anything that does not have His Majesty's approval" — referring to King Charles III.
The decision appears to be a direct response to a letter sent on Monday by Richard Benyon, the Lord Chamberlain and head of the royal household, on behalf of King Charles. The letter, addressed to senior UK government and military officials, reiterated that Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex — who recently returned to the United Kingdom after several years based in the United States — are "no longer working members of the royal family" and should be regarded as "private citizens with commercial and charitable interests". When asked about his motivation, General Kainerugaba was reported to have said he had "factions in the Ministry of Defence that support that Harry-Meghan nonsense" and felt compelled to act: "I support the monarch. Period."
The move marks an abrupt reversal for Uganda, which only two months ago was celebrated as the 26th nation to join the Invictus Games. In July, Prince Harry stood alongside Uganda's defence minister, Kiryowa Kiwanuka, at a London event to announce the country's participation in the next games, scheduled to be held in Birmingham in 2026. At the time, Kiwanuka praised President Museveni's "visionary leadership" and credited General Kainerugaba himself for "championing our team's entry". The Ugandan government spokesperson Alan Kasujja confirmed that the general holds authority over whether the Uganda People's Defence Force participates, adding that "if it changes, he will let the world know."
However, the withdrawal may rest on a misreading of royal sentiment. Royal sources have indicated that King Charles actively encourages all initiatives supporting wounded service personnel, suggesting the Invictus Games carries no royal disapproval. A spokesperson for the Invictus Games said the organisation had not received any official communication about a withdrawal and was seeking clarification from contacts in Uganda.
The episode throws an unflattering spotlight on General Kainerugaba, who was appointed army chief in 2024 and is widely regarded as his 81-year-old father's likely successor to the presidency. He has a record of erratic posts on X, including threats to invade neighbouring Kenya and personal messages directed at celebrities. The withdrawal deals a reputational blow to the Invictus Games at a sensitive moment for Prince Harry, who has invested heavily in expanding the event's global reach. Whether Uganda's decision is final — or a reflection of the general's characteristically impulsive style — remains to be seen.