Uganda pulling out of Prince Harry's Invictus Games, says military chief
Uganda has announced it will withdraw from the Invictus Games, the international sporting competition for wounded military veterans founded by Prince Harry, after only two months of confirming participation. The decision was made public by General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Uganda’s chief of defence and son of President Yoweri Museveni, in a post on the social‑media platform X. In his statement, Kainerugaba said the pull‑out was intended “in order not to be construed as being opposed to His Majesty King Charles III,” emphasizing that Uganda would not take part in any activity lacking the British monarch’s approval. Government spokesperson Alan Kasujja echoed the announcement to the BBC, noting that the general alone decides whether the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) joins the Games and that any reversal would be publicly communicated.
The withdrawal follows a recent letter from King Charles III clarifying that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are no longer working royals, a move that appears to have unsettled Ugandan officials. A report in The Times cited Kainerugaba’s concerns about the “Harry‑Meghan nonsense” as a possible catalyst for the decision, suggesting the Ugandan leadership wanted to avoid any perception of opposition to the King while distancing itself from the now‑non‑working royals. The Invictus Games, which celebrate the resilience and rehabilitation of injured service personnel, had welcomed Uganda as its 26th participating nation when the country announced its involvement in July, during Prince Harry’s promotional tour in London.
The Invictus Games organization has not yet received formal notification of Uganda’s exit and is seeking clarification from its contacts in the country. Royal sources have indicated that King Charles III continues to support initiatives that aid wounded service members, underscoring a potential disconnect between the monarchy’s stance and Uganda’s diplomatic calculations. The decision could affect the composition of the upcoming 2025 Games in Birmingham, where Uganda’s athletes were expected to compete, and may reflect broader sensitivities in Uganda’s foreign policy regarding the British royal family.
⚡ Effects Interpreter
🌍World Economy
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🏙️Local Economy
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🏦Rates & Banks
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❤️Health
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💷Wealth
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🏠Housing
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