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Uganda Withdraws from Invictus Games to Honor King Charles, Military Chief Says
Confirmed
In Short: Uganda has pulled out of the Invictus Games, citing respect for King Charles III, just two months after announcing its participation.
Uganda has withdrawn from the Invictus Games, a sports event for wounded military veterans, due to a desire to honor King Charles III, according to the country's military chief. The decision was made in a social media post by General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the chief of defence and son of the Ugandan president.
However, royal sources have stated that King Charles encourages all projects that support wounded service personnel. The withdrawal comes amid ongoing tensions over the 'Harry-Meghan nonsense,' as cited by Gen. Kainerugaba in his social media post. This timing coincides with an official letter from the head of the royal household, Richard Benyon, clarifying the Sussexes' status as non-working royals.
The Invictus Games, which celebrate the resilience and rehabilitation of wounded military men and women, had been set to welcome Uganda as its 26th participating country. The decision to withdraw may be an unintended consequence of this official clarification, which was issued on behalf of King Charles and reiterated the Sussexes' non-working status.
Gen. Kainerugaba's announcement on social media suggests a response to the official letter, which was sent to UK senior government and military officials. The Invictus Games and representatives for the Duke of Sussex have been approached for comment, but no official response has been received as of yet.
What's still developing
- 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.
- The news, first reported by Uganda Pulse news website, will undoubtedly 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 multi-sport event for wounded service personnel.
- King Charles has reaffirmed that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle remain non-working members of the Royal Family and private citizens, even as the Sussexes return to Britain.
- The clarification came even as ABC News claimed that the King learned about the couple’s plans to relocate to the UK only days before they were made public, In a letter sent on the King’s behalf by the Lord Chamberlain, Charles reaffirmed that Harry and Meghan are no longer working members of the Royal Family and remain private citizens with commercial and charitable interests.
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