Uganda re-joins Prince Harry’s Invictus Games after personal intervention from the king

Uganda has re-joined the Invictus Games after sensationally pulling out of the event over what was labelled as “that Harry-Meghan nonsense”.

The backflip came after a personal intervention from King Charles’ most senior aide, just in time for Prince Harry’s 42nd birthday on Tuesday.

Last week Uganda’s head of armed forces, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, withdrew the country’s participation, saying it would not take part “in anything that does not have His Majesty’s approval”.

Kainerugaba’s announcement was made on X and he later told The Times: “I have factions in the Ministry of Defence that support that Harry-Meghan nonsense”.

He added: “I had to quash it straight away. I support the monarch. Period.”

The withdrawal came two days after a letter which described the Duke and Duchess of Sussex as “private citizens”, ruling out any chances of the couple returning to the fold as working royals.

The letter, sent by the Lord Chamberlain on behalf of the king, said the couple was not to use their HRH status and did not represent the sovereign.

Read more

Security concerns force Archie, Lilibet to change schools after two days as Meghan’s protection placed under review

In response, a spokesperson for Harry and Meghan said they were “a little surprised not to have been told” about the letter in advance. However, it had been sent to their team before it was made public.

Sources close to the couple later linked the king’s letter to Uganda’s decision to leave the Invictus Games.

“Intended or unintended, this is clearly a consequence of the Lord Chamberlain’s guidance regarding the Duke and Duchess of Sussex that was rushed out without consultation on Monday,” the source told The Telegraph UK.

“Sadly, the only people who will suffer are the Invictus Games competitors.”

Now, in a turnaround, Uganda has decided to reverse its decision after a phone call between Kainerugaba and Sir Clive Alderton, the king’s private secretary.

The king had “no problem” with Uganda’s participation in the Invictus Games, Sir Clive said, and encouraged Kainerugaba to resume preparations for next year’s event in Birmingham.

Kainerugaba − the son of Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni − said he “appreciated the king’s message and clarity provided by Buckingham Palace on the subject”.

His decision means Uganda’s team will compete in the next Invictus Games, which will be hosted in Birmingham next year.

Palace aides said they were grateful to the Ugandans for their courtesy and understanding on the issue, while making it clear the palace was ready to assist other organisations who needed similar clarity.

In a message on X, Col Chris Magezi, acting director of defence public information for the Ugandan army, said: “The decision follows a telephone conversation between General Kainerugaba and the Principal Private Secretary to His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen of the United Kingdom, the Right Honourable Sir Clive Alderton K.C.V.O.

“In the discussion, Sir Alderton revealed that King Charles III was moved by General Kainerugaba’s sensitive consideration of the king’s opinion on the upcoming Invictus Games organised by Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex. Sir Alderton said King Charles III has no problem with Uganda’s participation in the Invictus Games, and encouraged the CDF to proceed with preparations for UPDF’s participation in the games.

“In the telephone conversation, General 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.”

In July, Uganda joined the Invictus community as its 26th member nation, becoming the first from east Africa. 

Its defence minister joined Prince Harry at an event at Chatham House to announce Uganda’s entry into the Invictus Games.

The games will return to Britain for the first time since 2014, when the tournament was launched by Harry following his two tours of duty in Afghanistan and 10 years in the British Army.

Prince Harry is understood to be hopeful his father will support the event by attending the opening ceremony. In 2014, the then-Prince Charles attended the games alongside Prince William.

Prince Harry will make the first of several public appearances later this week, weeks after moving back to Britain with his family. On Thursday, he will attend the Invictus Spirit Awards in London, with Meghan rumoured to be joining him.