Uganda has officially withdrawn from Prince Harry’s Invictus Games, with the country’s military chief citing a recent royal guidance letter as the reason for the sudden U-turn. According to the BBC and The Guardian, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba announced on September 9, 2026, that the East African nation would no longer participate in the international sporting event out of deep reverence for King Charles III.
The Royal Guidance Letter and Military Reaction
The withdrawal comes just weeks after Uganda’s defense minister appeared alongside Prince Harry at an Invictus event in London on July 7, 2026, to announce the country’s entry. However, according to ITV News, Buckingham Palace published a letter of guidance on September 7, 2026, clarifying that any charitable work undertaken by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex is strictly a personal matter in their private capacity and that they have not returned to the UK as working royals.
In the early hours of September 9, 2026, General Kainerugaba wrote on X that Uganda was pulling out of the competition. According to The Telegraph, the military chief stated that participation could not be construed as being opposed to the British monarch. “We shall not participate in anything that does not have His Majesty’s approval,” General Kainerugaba wrote, as reported by The Times.
Response From Prince Harry’s Office
Prince Harry’s office has linked the sudden withdrawal to the palace announcement. According to ITV News, a source close to the Duke of Sussex stated that the guidance rushed out by the Lord Chamberlain’s office on Monday created some confusion within the Ugandan defense department. The source told reporters, “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 Sussex camp source added, “Sadly, the only people who will suffer are the Invictus Games competitors.” Government spokesperson Alan Kasujja confirmed to ITV News that General Kainerugaba speaks for the Uganda People’s Defence Forces, noting that until President Yoweri Museveni changes his position, the military’s stance stands.
Wider Context and Royal Stance
Despite the diplomatic friction, reports indicate that King Charles supports the sporting event. According to a senior royal source cited by ITV News, the monarch supports all organizations aiding wounded service personnel and attended the inaugural Invictus Games in 2014. The Invictus Games Foundation was reportedly informed that the palace letter had created some confusion within the Ugandan defense department, leading to the abrupt reversal.
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