Uganda quits sporting event founded by Prince Harry, citing loyalty to British crown

The Ugandan government has withdrawn from the Invictus Games, the international adaptive sports competition founded by Britain's Prince Harry, in what the country’s military leadership described as a demonstration of loyalty to King Charles III.

General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the son of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and commander of the country’s armed forces, announced the decision on September 8, as British media reported, just two months after Uganda became the 26th nation to join the Invictus community.

The withdrawal came a day after Buckingham Palace released a letter clarifying the status of Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, who recently moved back to the UK after residing for multiple years in the US following their decision to step back from their royal duties. The document reiterated that the couple should not use their HRH titles and said official and state organizations seeking guidance on courtesies extended to them, particularly when public funds are involved, should contact Buckingham Palace.

“In order not to be construed as being opposed to His Majesty King Charles III of the United Kingdom, whom we deeply revere, Uganda hereby withdraws from the Invictus Games,” Kainerugaba wrote on X. “We shall not participate in anything that does not have His Majesty’s approval.”

Responding by inquiries by the British media outlet The Times, Kainerugaba said he had acted after discovering support for Harry and Meghan within Uganda’s Ministry of Defence.

“I have factions in the Ministry of Defence that support that Harry-Meghan nonsense. I had to quash it straight away. I support the monarch. Period,” he said.

His remarks appeared to refer to the long-running and highly publicized tensions between Prince Harry, Meghan and other members of the British royal family.

The decision was also supported by senior Ugandan military officials, including Staff Political Commissariat Major General Henry Masiko and Major General Richard Karemire, Joint Staff for Formal Education, Sports and Culture.

“Success comes to those who are prepared. Let us not just go, but go with skill,” Masiko said.

Uganda’s withdrawal could represent a setback for Prince Harry, who has recently returned to Britain and is expected to make preparations for next year’s Invictus Games in Birmingham a major part of his work following his relocation.

As part of its participation in the Invictus initiative, Uganda had also received sports equipment, including rowing machines, weights and strength-training equipment, as well as equipment for sitting volleyball, pickleball, archery and athletics and other specialist gear.

Harry established the Invictus Games in 2014, drawing inspiration from the US Warrior Games. The competition aims to “inspire international communities through the power of the unconquered human spirit.”

Held every two years, the event brings together more than 500 injured and disabled service personnel to compete in adaptive sports including wheelchair basketball and volleyball, skiing, curling, biathlon and swimming.

By Nazrin Sadigova