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Uganda Withdraws from Invictus Games Amid Tensions with British Royals
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Uganda has withdrawn from the Invictus Games, a sports event for wounded military veterans, due to tensions with the British royal family, according to reports. The decision was made by General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the chief of defence and son of the Ugandan president, who cited respect for King Charles III as the reason for the withdrawal.
Prince Harry, who announced Uganda's participation in the Invictus Games in July, expressed disappointment over the country's decision. 'Sadly, the only people who will suffer are the Invictus Games competitors,' he said, according to a source close to the Sussexes. The Invictus Games, which celebrate the resilience and rehabilitation of wounded service personnel, have not yet received an official statement from Uganda regarding the withdrawal.
The decision to withdraw from the games was announced in a social media post on X, where General Kainerugaba cited 'Harry-Meghan nonsense' as a reason for the move. This timing coincides with an official letter sent on behalf of King Charles, clarifying that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are not working royals and will not use their HRH styles. The letter, issued by the head of the royal household, Richard Benyon, has been seen as a response to the Sussexes' return to the UK.
According to reports, the withdrawal may be an unintended consequence of this official letter, which was shared with the media. A spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex expressed surprise at the letter, stating that it was sent on behalf of King Charles. The letter reaffirmed that Harry and Meghan remain non-working members of the Royal Family and private citizens, with commercial and charitable interests.
What's confirmed
- Uganda has withdrawn from the Invictus Games, a sports event for wounded military veterans, due to tensions with the British royal family, according to reports. The decision was made by General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the chief of defence and son of the Ugandan president, who cited respect for King Charles III as the reason for the withdrawal.
- Prince Harry, who announced Uganda's participation in the Invictus Games in July, expressed disappointment over the country's decision. 'Sadly, the only people who will suffer are the Invictus Games competitors,' he said, according to a source close to the Sussexes. The Invictus Games, which celebrate the resilience and rehabilitation of wounded service personnel, have not yet received an official statement from Uganda regarding the withdrawal.
- The decision to withdraw from the games was announced in a social media post on X, where General Kainerugaba cited 'Harry-Meghan nonsense' as a reason for the move. This timing coincides with an official letter sent on behalf of King Charles, clarifying that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are not working royals and will not use their HRH styles. The letter, issued by the head of the royal household, Richard Benyon, has been seen as a response to the Sussexes' return to the UK.
- According to reports, the withdrawal may be an unintended consequence of this official letter, which was shared with the media. A spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex expressed surprise at the letter, stating that it was sent on behalf of King Charles. The letter reaffirmed that Harry and Meghan remain non-working members of the Royal Family and private citizens, with commercial and charitable interests.
What's still developing
- Uganda had become the 26th country to take part in the games.
- 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.