King Charles clarifies Uganda's participation in Invictus Games after initial withdrawal
King Charles said he had no objection to Uganda taking part in the Invictus Games, and the Ugandan defence forces confirmed they will compete following a phone call with the monarch's adviser.
Uganda reversed its decision to withdraw from next year’s Invictus Games after a phone call between a senior adviser to King Charles III and the Ugandan Chief of Defence Forces. The monarch said he was "moved" by the initial decision but had no issue with the country's participation.
Chris Magezi, spokesperson for the Uganda People’s Defence Forces, said the king’s adviser encouraged the defence forces to continue preparations, and he later announced on Twitter that General Muhoozi Kainerugaba had approved Uganda’s involvement in the Birmingham event.
"Kainerugaba appreciated the King’s message and clarity provided by Buckingham Palace on the subject, promising that the UPDF would resume preparations to participate in the upcoming games," Magezi wrote.
The reversal follows earlier statements from General Kainerugaba that Uganda would not join any activity lacking the monarch’s approval, and comments linking the decision to internal opposition to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Prince Harry, who founded the Invictus Games in 2014, is set to attend the Invictus Spirit Awards later this week, his first official appearance since returning to the United Kingdom.