Uganda Quits Prince Harry's Invictus Games as Army Chief Brands Internal Support 'Harry-Meghan Nonsense'

Uganda is withdrawing from Prince Harry's Invictus Games after its military chief criticised support for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and declared his allegiance to King Charles III.

General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Uganda's Chief of Defence Forces and a son of President Yoweri Museveni, announced the decision on social media.

The reversal comes only two months after Uganda became the 26th member of the Invictus Community of Nations.

Military Chief Says Uganda Supports the King

Kainerugaba wrote on X that Uganda did not want its involvement to be interpreted as opposition to King Charles.

'We shall not participate in anything that does not have His Majesty's approval,' he said.

Asked what prompted the announcement, Kainerugaba reportedly said some officials in Uganda's Ministry of Defence supported what he called the 'Harry-Meghan nonsense'. He added: 'I support the monarch. Period.'

The quoted description was Kainerugaba's own characterisation. There is no evidence that it reflected the position of King Charles or Buckingham Palace.

Ugandan government spokesperson Alan Kasujja subsequently confirmed that Kainerugaba decides whether the country's armed forces participate in the Invictus Games.

Uganda Joined the Invictus Community in July

The Invictus Games Foundation said Uganda became its 26th community nation in July 2026.

The Foundation had supplied sporting equipment to the Uganda People's Defence Force rehabilitation centre in Mubende. The donation included rowing machines, weights and equipment for archery, sitting volleyball, pickleball and amputee football.

Ugandan military officials welcomed the partnership and encouraged prospective competitors to prepare for Birmingham 2027. However, membership of the Invictus Community does not automatically guarantee that a country will send a team to a particular Games.

The Foundation says its wider programme uses sport to support the recovery and rehabilitation of wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans.

Did King Charles Oppose the Invictus Games?

Kainerugaba's announcement followed a letter issued on behalf of King Charles on Monday, 7 September 2026, clarifying that Prince Harry and Meghan remain non-working members of the Royal Family.

The letter said there had been no change to the Sussexes' status since they stepped back from official duties in 2020. Their HRH styles remain in abeyance, while their charitable work is undertaken privately rather than on behalf of the Crown.

However, the letter did not mention Uganda, oppose the Invictus Games or instruct any country to withdraw. No public evidence indicates that the King requested or approved Kainerugaba's decision.

What the Withdrawal Means for Birmingham 2027

The next Invictus Games are scheduled for 10 to 17 July 2027 at Birmingham's National Exhibition Centre, with swimming events at Sandwell Aquatics Centre.

The eighth edition will feature nine core sports as well as esports, pickleball and laser run. It will be the first Invictus Games staged in Britain since the inaugural London competition in 2014.

Prince Harry was inspired to create the event after attending the US Warrior Games in 2013. It has since developed into an international programme focused on recovery through adaptive sport.

At the time of writing, neither the Invictus Games Foundation nor Prince Harry had issued a detailed public response to Uganda's announcement.

The withdrawal raises questions about whether Uganda's prospective competitors will continue receiving support and what will happen to the equipment already provided. Any claim that King Charles ordered the country's departure would be unsupported by the available evidence.