Uganda Withdraws From Prince Harry’s Invictus Games as Military Chief Declares Loyalty to King Charles

Uganda has announced that it is withdrawing from Prince Harry’s Invictus Games, with the country’s military chief declaring his loyalty to King Charles just one day after the monarch issued new guidance on Harry and Meghan Markle’s status.

General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Uganda’s Chief of Defense Forces and the son of President Yoweri Museveni, announced the decision Tuesday, Sept. 8.

The move came only two months after Uganda became the 26th country to join the Invictus community.

“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 wrote on X. “We shall not participate in anything that does not have His Majesty’s approval.”

Speaking to The Times, Kainerugaba was even more direct.

“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.”

General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Uganda’s Chief of Defense Forces on May 13, 2025; Prince Harry during the Invictus “1 Year To Go” event at the National Exhibition Centre on July 10, 2026 in Birmingham, England. Credit :

Hajarah Nalwadda/Getty; Aaron Chown/Pool/Getty

Withdrawal Follows New Guidance From King Charles

Uganda’s announcement came one day after Buckingham Palace issued a letter clarifying the position of Harry and Meghan following their return to the U.K.

The guidance reiterated that the couple should not use their HRH styles. It also stated that official and state organizations with questions about courtesies extended to Harry and Meghan—particularly where public funds could be involved—should direct those questions to Buckingham Palace.

Despite Uganda’s decision, PEOPLE understands that King Charles encourages organizations and initiatives that support wounded service personnel.

The Invictus Games Foundation, meanwhile, said it had not received formal notification of Uganda’s withdrawal.

“The Invictus Games Foundation has not received formal notification from Uganda through our established channels and is seeking clarification,” a representative told PEOPLE.

The foundation added that it remains committed to supporting wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans around the world through sport.

General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Uganda’s Chief of Defense Forces, attends the Chief of Defense Forces Inter-Force Drill Competition in Kampala, Uganda, on May 13, 2025.

Hajarah Nalwadda/Getty

Uganda Had Only Just Joined the Invictus Community

The timing is particularly striking because Uganda had only recently become part of the Invictus community.

The country joined as the organization’s 26th member in July 2026, with the goal of expanding access to sports recovery opportunities for wounded and injured service personnel.

As part of the initiative, the foundation said it was working with partners in Uganda to establish and strengthen opportunities for sports recovery, allowing members of the community to use sport and physical activity as part of their rehabilitation.

Senior Ugandan military officials had supported the program.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry look on during the Mixed Team Preliminary Round – Pool A Sitting Volleyball match between Team Nigeria and Team Ukraine during day five of the Invictus Games Duesseldorf 2023 on Sept. 14, 2023.

Joern Pollex/Getty Images

Staff Political Commissariat Major General Henry Masiko encouraged participants ahead of the initiative, saying, “Success comes to those who are prepared. Let us not just go, but go with skill.”

Major General Richard Karemire, Joint Staff Formal Education, Sports and Culture, also welcomed the effort.

“It is a vote of confidence in the resilience and potential of Uganda’s competitors,” he said.

Uganda also received sports equipment through the initiative, including rowing machines, weights and strength-training equipment, sitting volleyball and pickleball equipment, archery equipment, athletics equipment and specialist gear.

Harry’s Longstanding Connection to Invictus

Prince Harry poses for a photograph with Wheelchair Rugby players during the Invictus “1 Year To Go” event at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, England, on July 10, 2026.

Aaron Chown – Pool/Getty

Prince Harry founded the Invictus Games in 2014, drawing inspiration from the U.S. Warrior Games. The competition was created with the stated mission of inspiring international communities through “the power of the unconquered human spirit.”

The biennial adaptive sports competition gives more than 500 injured and disabled armed forces members an opportunity to compete in sports including wheelchair basketball and volleyball, skiing, curling, biathlon and swimming.

The games have also played an important role in Harry and Meghan’s relationship.

The couple made their first public appearance together at the 2017 Invictus Games in Toronto, where Meghan was living while filming Suits.

“There is nowhere you can feel more embraced and supported than with the Invictus family,” Harry told PEOPLE in 2022.

He recalled that the Toronto Games were their first time appearing together publicly in an official setting.

“We were dating at the time, so it was a lot to take in, but fortunately, we were with the perfect community for that.”

Harry and Meghan Return to the U.K.

Uganda’s withdrawal also comes as attention remains focused on Harry’s relationship with his father.

Although there have been reports that the father and son had not been in contact, a source told PEOPLE that Harry and King Charles have spoken by phone since the Duke of Sussex returned to the U.K. last month.

However, the two have not met in person since Harry’s return, according to PEOPLE.

Harry, Meghan and their children, Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5, arrived in England on Aug. 26, shortly after announcing plans to relocate to the U.K. for an extended period.

The return is expected to bring renewed activity in charitable work for the couple, including Harry’s continued involvement with the Invictus Games.

The next edition of the event is scheduled to take place in Birmingham in 2027.