Uganda’s military leadership has reversed its decision to withdraw from the 2025 Invictus Games in Birmingham, United Kingdom, after a direct intervention by Sir Clive Alderton, the Principal Private Secretary to King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), Colonel Chris Magezi, acting director of Defence Public Information for the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF), announced that General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Chief of Defence Forces and Senior Presidential Advisor for Special Operations, had approved the country’s participation. The reversal follows a telephone conversation between General Kainerugaba and Sir Alderton, which addressed concerns raised by Uganda’s initial withdrawal.
The Ugandan military’s initial decision to pull out of the event had been announced by General Kainerugaba on X on [date not specified in sources], citing ongoing discussions surrounding Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, as the reason for the withdrawal. The statement did not provide further details on the specific concerns raised.
King Charles III’s stance on military initiatives
As head of the armed forces, King Charles III has previously expressed support for military-focused events, including the Invictus Games, which provide rehabilitation and competitive opportunities for wounded, injured, or sick armed forces personnel. A spokesperson for the King confirmed that His Majesty was supportive of initiatives benefiting military personnel and veterans, though no direct public statement was issued regarding Uganda’s participation.
The Invictus Games, founded by Prince Harry in 2014, are an international adaptive multi-sport event for wounded, injured, or sick armed forces personnel. The 2025 edition is scheduled to take place in Birmingham, UK, and will feature teams from participating nations.
Reactions to the withdrawal and reversal
Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, have not publicly commented on Uganda’s initial withdrawal or the subsequent reversal. However, a spokesman for the couple stated in response to the withdrawal that a letter from the Lord Chamberlain, which emphasized the Duke and Duchess’s status as ‘private citizens,’ had ‘directly or indirectly’ contributed to the Ugandan military’s decision. The spokesman did not elaborate on the claimed connection between the letter and Uganda’s withdrawal.
Uganda’s military did not address the claims made by the Sussexes’ spokesman in its statement regarding the reversal. The Ugandan government and military leadership have not provided additional public statements on the matter beyond the confirmation of participation.
Background on the Invictus Games and Uganda’s involvement
The Invictus Games have grown into a global event since their inception, with teams representing nations including the UK, US, Canada, Australia, and others. Uganda’s participation in past editions has been noted, though specific details about its team’s performance or participation history were not provided in the available sources.
The 2025 games are expected to include adaptive sports such as wheelchair rugby, archery, and indoor rowing, among others, with events designed to highlight the resilience of military personnel recovering from injuries.
The Ugandan military’s reversal ensures that its team will compete in the 2025 Invictus Games, aligning with the event’s mission to support wounded veterans through sport.