Military chief says Uganda will not join activities without the King’s approval…reports Africa Daily News Desk
Uganda has withdrawn from the Invictus Games, with military chief Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba saying the country would not participate in activities without the approval of King Charles III.
“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 said.
“We shall not participate in anything that does not have His Majesty’s approval,” he added.
The announcement comes after a letter issued this week on behalf of King Charles made clear that Prince Harry and Meghan, who have returned to the UK, are no longer working members of the Royal Family.
The Times newspaper reported that Kainerugaba had expressed concerns about what he described as the “Harry-Meghan nonsense”, suggesting the dispute may have prompted Uganda’s decision to withdraw.
The move comes just weeks after Uganda became the 26th member of the Invictus Community of Nations in July 2026 and began receiving support from the Invictus Games Foundation to expand sports recovery opportunities for its military community.
The foundation recently provided sports and adaptive equipment to the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces Defence Forces Rehabilitation and Vocational Centre in Mubende. Ugandan organisation Play of Hope supported the delivery of the equipment.
The equipment includes rowing machines, weights and strength-training equipment, sitting volleyball and pickleball gear, archery equipment, athletics equipment and football crutches for amputee football. Specialist footwear, training clothing and kit bags were also provided.
The programme was intended to help members of Uganda’s Invictus community use sport and physical activity as part of their recovery, while supporting the country’s preparations for the Invictus Games Birmingham 2027.
At a handover ceremony, Joint Staff Political Commissariat Major General Henry Masiko welcomed the foundation’s support and highlighted Uganda’s membership of the Invictus Community.
He said the partnership demonstrated confidence in Uganda’s competitors and their recovery journeys, while urging those preparing for the Birmingham Games to remain disciplined and focused.
“Success comes to those who are prepared. Let us not just go, but go with skill,” Masiko said.
Major General Richard Karemire, Joint Staff Formal Education, Sports and Culture, said the assistance represented more than the provision of sporting equipment.
“It is a vote of confidence in the resilience and potential of Uganda’s competitors,” he said, adding that the support would encourage athletes to train with renewed purpose ahead of Birmingham 2027.
Annet Nakamya, director of Play of Hope, also pledged continued technical assistance to the competitors, saying the equipment would strengthen training and boost their confidence.
The Invictus Games Foundation has said its work in Uganda was designed to create opportunities extending beyond the Games themselves. Its “Beyond the Games” programme works with national and local partners to develop sports recovery, share expertise and help more members of the Invictus Community access sport and physical activity as part of their recovery.
Uganda’s withdrawal now puts its planned participation in the Birmingham 2027 Games in doubt, despite the recent efforts to build its Invictus programme and prepare competitors for the event.
