King Charles III’s household has defused an unlikely diplomatic tangle over the Invictus Games, founded by his son Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex. Uganda’s military reversed its decision to quit the 2027 competition and said it had been assured the monarch had no objection. The turnaround was announced in a post on Monday, September 14, 2026, by Chris Magezi, spokesperson for the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF).
Magezi wrote that Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Uganda’s chief of defense forces, had reinstated the country’s place at the Games in Birmingham after a telephone call with Sir Clive Alderton, principal private secretary to the king and queen. Charles, he added, “has no problem with Uganda’s participation in the Invictus Games, and encouraged the [Chief of Defence Forces] CDF to proceed with preparations.”
According to the same post, Kainerugaba welcomed the king’s message and the clarity Buckingham Palace had provided, and promised the UPDF would restart its preparations for the Games. The reversal came less than a week after the withdrawal was announced.
Why Uganda Walked Away
Kainerugaba announced the withdrawal in a post on X on September 9, saying he did not want Uganda’s involvement to be construed as opposition to Charles, a monarch he described as deeply revered in the country. “We shall not participate in anything that does not have His Majesty’s approval,” he said.
Asked by the Times what had motivated the move, Kainerugaba said: “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.”
The timing fed speculation that the pullout answered an official letter sent on Charles’ behalf to senior government and military officials, restating that Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, are not working royals and would not use their HRH styles. Issued through the Office of the Lord Chamberlain, the letter made clear that the couple pursue their charitable work as private citizens.
Harry’s team tied the withdrawal to that palace guidance, and Buckingham Palace denied the letter had been meant to sow such confusion. The UPDF post of September 14 gave a different account, saying the pullout had followed a Buckingham Palace statement describing the Invictus Games as a private charitable organization.
Harry’s 26th Invictus Nation
Uganda’s involvement is recent. The country joined the Invictus community in July 2026 as the 26th participating nation and the first from East Africa, coming aboard through a partnership between the UPDF and the Invictus Games Foundation intended to broaden rehabilitation and adaptive sports work for wounded service members. The news was unveiled at a London event for the Games, where Harry appeared beside Kiryowa Kiwanuka, Uganda’s defense minister.
Rob Owen, chief executive of the Invictus Games Foundation, welcomed Uganda’s confirmation that it will remain part of the Invictus community and compete at the Invictus Games Birmingham 2027, which he said was less than 300 days away. Uganda became the foundation’s 26th nation earlier in the year, he noted, joining a movement that offers year-round recovery opportunities for wounded, injured and sick service personnel.
Harry launched the multisport competition in 2014 for military personnel and veterans who are wounded, injured or sick.
The General Behind the U-Turn
Kainerugaba is the eldest son of President Yoweri Museveni, who is 82, and was appointed army chief in 2024. He is widely regarded as his father’s likely successor to the presidency, and he has declared a 2031 presidential bid. Like Harry, he is a graduate of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.
He is also a provocative presence on social media. His posts on X have included threats to invade neighboring Kenya and threats aimed at Bobi Wine, Museveni’s main political rival.
The episode drew attention well beyond royal circles, with one analysis framing it as evidence of how far historical soft power and royal reverence still reach — a single phone call redirecting an African military’s public stance with no pressure or economic leverage applied.
Whether the king himself turns up in Birmingham is still an open question. As of September 14, the palace had not confirmed his attendance at the 2027 Games. He appeared at the 2014 launch of the Invictus Games in London alongside his sons, Prince William and Harry.
