Uganda Reverses Boycott to Compete in Birmingham Invictus Games

Uganda’s military will participate in Prince Harry’s Invictus Games next year in Birmingham after Buckingham Palace reassured leaders that King Charles III holds no objections. The reversal follows a high-level diplomatic phone call resolving a brief withdrawal sparked by royal family status clarifications.

Uganda’s armed forces have reversed course on an impending boycott, confirming they will send a team to the upcoming Invictus Games in Birmingham, United Kingdom. The reversal brings a swift end to a diplomatic hiccup that had briefly cast a shadow over Prince Harry’s international sporting event for wounded, injured, and sick service personnel and veterans, which was founded by Prince Harry in 2014.

The Phone Call That Saved Uganda’s Invictus Participation

The turnaround materialized following a crucial telephone conversation between top Ugandan military leadership and the Principal Private Secretary to His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen of the United Kingdom. General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the Chief of Defence Forces and Senior Presidential Advisor for Special Operations, spoke directly with the Right Honourable Sir Clive Alderton K.C.V.O. to clear the air regarding the monarchy’s stance.

During 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 organized by Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex. Crucially, the private secretary stated that King Charles III had no problem with Uganda’s participation in the games, and encouraged the Chief of Defence Forces to proceed with preparations for UPDF’s participation in the games.

Chris Magezi, a military officer serving as spokesperson of Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), took to his official X handle on Monday, September 14, to release an official statement regarding the development. In the statement, Magezi shared that 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.

Why Uganda Briefly Withdrew From the Games

Uganda had joined the Games this year as the 26th member nation, but the Chief of Defence Forces had withdrawn UPDF participation in the upcoming games to preserve Uganda’s close relationship with the British Monarchy after Buckingham Palace had earlier issued a statement indicating that the Invictus Games were a private charity organization and making clear that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were private citizens who could not carry out official royal engagements.

Eager to avoid any appearance of diplomatic friction with the British Crown, General Kainerugaba, who is the son of Uganda’s president, announced the withdrawal last Wednesday in a social media post on X, stating, We shall not participate in anything that does not have His Majesty's approval. The military chief noted at the time that the withdrawal had been made so as not to be construed as being opposed to His Majesty King Charles III.

A Positive Outcome for Buckingham Palace and the Prince’s Event

A royal source said there was now a positive outcome for all sides and thanked the Ugandans for their understanding. The source added that the resolution showed that, as the Palace’s earlier letter had stated, the Palace could address any questions and uncertainty about the Sussexes.

Prince Harry announcing Uganda joining the Invictus Games in July — Photo: bbc.co.uk

The Invictus Games are scheduled to take place in Birmingham next year, where injured service personnel from Uganda and other member nations will compete.