Uganda pulling out of Prince Harry's Invictus Games, says military chief

Image source, PA MediaImage caption, Prince Harry announced in July that Uganda was joining the Invictus GamesBySean CoughlanRoyal correspondentPublished28 minutes agoUganda is pulling out of the Invictus Games, a sports event for wounded military veterans run by the Duke of Sussex, only two months after the country said it would join.General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, chief of defence and son of the African country's president, made the announcement in a social media post on X.He said the decision to withdraw from the games was "in order not to be construed as being opposed to His Majesty King Charles III".A Uganda government spokesman confirmed this to the BBC: "General Kainerugaba decides whether or not the UPDF [Uganda People's Defence Force] participates in the Invictus Games. What you saw is his stated position. If it changes, he will let the world know."King makes clear Harry and Meghan remain non-working royalsPublished1 day agoPrince Harry and Meghan land in UK days after announcing movePublished26 AugustPrince Harry plays pickleball at Invictus Games event, but no MeghanPublished10 JulyThe Ugandan military chief's announcement follows a letter sent this week on behalf of the King which made clear that Prince Harry and Meghan, who have now returned to the UK, were not working royals.A report in The Times newspaper quoted the general's concerns about the "Harry-Meghan nonsense", suggesting this was the background to the decision."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," said the general in an overnight post."We shall not participate in anything that does not have His Majesty's approval."However, royal sources have said that the King encourages all projects which support wounded service personnel.A spokesman for the Invictus Games said they had not received any official information about a potential withdrawal and have been seeking clarification from their contacts in Uganda.Among other posts on X from General Kainerugaba on Thursday was one that read: "I consider myself the most handsome, most daring and glorious Commander who ever lived."There was also a series of angry messages about other generals who had danced without his permission.The participation of Uganda in the next games, to be held next year in Birmingham, was announced in July, when Prince Harry was in London promoting the sports event, which celebrates the resilience and rehabilitation of wounded military men and women.Uganda had become the 26th country to take part in the games.Sign up here to get the latest royal stories and analysis every week with our Royal Watch newsletter. Those outside the UK can sign up here.Related topicsUK Royal FamilyPrince Harry, Duke of Sussex