Uganda's military chief Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba announced on X that his country will withdraw from the Invictus Games out of respect for King Charles, amidst controversy over the involvement of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in the event. The move follows an official letter to UK officials clarifying the Sussexes' status as no longer working royals. The decision is reportedly motivated by Kainerugaba's support for the monarch and his desire to quash perceived divisions within Uganda's Ministry of Defence over the Invictus Games. Uganda was set to be the 26th country participating in the event, with its defence minister praising President Yoweri Museveni's leadership at a previous Invictus Games event.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-10,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Uganda's military chief, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, announced on X (formerly Twitter) that his country is withdrawing from the Invictus Games out of respect for King Charles III. The decision was made to avoid being seen as opposed to King Charles, whom Uganda "deeply revere[s]". This move comes amid divisions within Uganda's Ministry of Defence about the royal family, with some factions supporting Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Kainerugaba stated that he has had to quash these opposing views, citing his support for the monarch as the reason for Uganda's withdrawal from the games. This decision will likely be a blow to Harry, who had announced two months ago that Uganda would be participating in the Invictus Games, becoming the 26th country to join the multisport event for wounded service personnel.
Written for “Uganda Leaves Invictus Games” on 2026-09-10,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
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Leaning score +0.85 for article 7410 (high confidence, 2 verified quotes) · logged 2026-09-10
Uganda is withdrawing from the Duke of Sussex’s Invictus Games, the country’s military chief has said, out of respect for King Charles amid division over the “Harry-Meghan nonsense”.
asserted
chief → withdraw → nonsense
Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, son of the Ugandan president, made the surprise announcement in a post on X on Wednesday.
asserted
Kainerugaba → make → Wednesday
Kainerugaba wrote: “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.
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Uganda → write → Games
We shall not participate in anything that does not have His Majesty’s approval.”
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that → participate → approval
The timing of the post suggests it may be in response to an official letter to UK senior government and military officials on behalf of Charles that reiterated the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were not working royals and would not use their HRH styles.
uncertain
Duke → suggest → styles
When asked by the Times about what had motivated the move, Kainerugaba is reported to have said: “I have factions in the Ministry of Defence that support that Harry-Meghan nonsense.
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that → ask → nonsense
I had to quash it straight away.
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I → have → it
I support the monarch.
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I → support → monarch
The news, first reported by the Uganda Pulse news website, will be a blow to Harry, who two months ago stood alongside Uganda’s defence minister, Kiryowa Kiwanuka, at an Invictus Games event in London to announce that the East African nation would be the 26th country to enter the multisport event for wounded service personnel.
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nation → report → personnel
At the time, Kiwanuka praised the Ugandan president, Yoweri Museveni for his “visionary leadership” and Kainerugaba, a Sandhurst graduate, for “championing our team’s entry”, adding that their support “marks a new chapter for our servicemen and women”.
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support → praise → servicemen
The Ugandan government spokesperson Alan Kasujja confirmed to the BBC: “Gen Kainerugaba decides whether or not the UPDF [Uganda People’s Defence Force] participates in the Invictus Games.
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UPDF → confirm → Games
What you saw is his stated position.
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saw → see → What
If it changes, he will let the world know.”
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world → change → ?
The decision to withdraw may be an unintended consequence of the official letter, issued on Monday by the head of the royal household, the lord chamberlain, Richard Benyon, at Charles’s behest, clarifying the position of the Sussexes after their return to the UK two weeks ago.
uncertain
decision → withdraw → UK
The letter directed that the couple were “no longer working members of the royal family”, that their charitable work “is a personal matter for them both and undertaken in their private capacity” and “their position is akin to private citizens with commercial and charitable interests”.
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position → direct → interests
Kainerugaba was appointed army chief in 2024 and is widely seen as his 81-year-old father’s successor to the presidency.
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Kainerugaba → appoint → presidency
He has made several provocative posts on X, including threats to invade neighbouring Kenya, demands that Jay-Z hand over his wife, Beyoncé, so he could marry her, and threats against Bobi Wine, Museveni’s principal political rival.
uncertain
he → make → Wine
The Invictus Games and representatives for the Duke of Sussex have been approached for comment.
asserted
Games → approach → comment
