Uganda Military Chief Reveals 'Factions' Backing Harry and Meghan as He Pulls Out of Invictus Games

Uganda is withdrawing from the Invictus Games after military chief General Muhoozi Kainerugaba said the country would not participate in an event without King Charles III's approval.

Kainerugaba, head of Uganda's armed forces and son of President Yoweri Museveni, announced the decision on X before telling The Times that factions within Uganda's Ministry of Defence supported what he called 'Harry-Meghan nonsense'. He said he intervened because of his support for the King, though there is no evidence Charles ordered Uganda's withdrawal.

The decision reverses Uganda's commitment to make its Invictus debut in Birmingham in 2027, just weeks after the country became the 26th member of the Invictus community. It also follows a Palace letter reaffirming Harry and Meghan's status as non-working members of the Royal Family.

Kainerugaba Says Factions Backed Sussexes

Kainerugaba said Uganda did not want to be seen as opposing Charles, whom he said the country 'deeply reveres', and insisted it would not participate in anything without the monarch's approval.

Speaking to The Times, he said factions within the Ministry of Defence supported what he called 'Harry-Meghan nonsense', prompting him to intervene. Kainerugaba said he had to 'quash it straight away' and made clear that he supported the monarch.

There is no independent evidence establishing the size or influence of the factions Kainerugaba described.

Ugandan government spokesperson Alan Kasujja told ITV News that Kainerugaba speaks for the Uganda People's Defence Forces and that his position should be treated as the military's unless he changes it. Kasujja said he did not know whether the withdrawal was connected to the Palace's clarification of Harry and Meghan's status.

The move also marks a change from Uganda's earlier cooperation with the Invictus Games Foundation. A formal partnership with the Uganda People's Defence Forces was established in October 2025 to support rehabilitation for wounded soldiers, with Kainerugaba welcoming the initiative at the time.

Uganda Had Only Just Joined Invictus

Uganda was formally welcomed as the 26th nation in the Invictus community on 7 July, becoming the first East African country to join. Defence Minister Kiryowa Kiwanuka appeared alongside Prince Harry at Chatham House in London and confirmed Uganda would compete at the Birmingham Games.

The Invictus Games Foundation provided an initial £15,000 development grant for sports equipment and recovery activities, with the partnership also supporting rehabilitation facilities in Uganda.

The Birmingham Games are scheduled for July 2027. Harry founded Invictus in 2014 for wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans.

Palace Letter Raises Questions Over Timing

The withdrawal came shortly after Lord Chamberlain Richard Benyon sent a letter to senior government and military officials reaffirming that Harry and Meghan are no longer working members of the Royal Family. It also confirmed that their HRH styles remain in abeyance and are not used.

The Palace said the communication was intended to clarify the couple's status for official organisations. Harry and Meghan's representatives reportedly expressed surprise after receiving the letter shortly before it became public.

Harry's office believes the Palace guidance is linked to Uganda's decision while the Invictus Games Foundation was reportedly told the letter had caused 'confusion' within Uganda's defence department. However, there is no evidence that Charles ordered Uganda to withdraw.

Kainerugaba has served as Uganda's army chief since 2024 and is widely regarded as a potential successor to his father. The withdrawal leaves Uganda's planned participation in Birmingham in doubt, despite its recent commitment to the Games.