Uganda has confirmed it will participate in the Invictus Games after reversing a decision to withdraw from the event, following a phone call between Buckingham Palace and Uganda's military chief.
Uganda's Chief of Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, had announced last Wednesday via social media that the country would pull out of the games. He stated that Uganda would "not participate in anything that does not have His Majesty's approval."
The withdrawal had been triggered by a letter sent on behalf of King Charles III clarifying that Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, remained non-working royals and private citizens unable to carry out official royal engagements.
General Kainerugaba, who is also the son of Uganda's president, said the withdrawal had been made so as "not to be construed as being opposed to His Majesty King Charles III."
The situation was resolved after a phone call between the King's principal private secretary, Sir Clive Alderton, and General Kainerugaba. During the call, Sir Clive conveyed that the King had "no problem" with Uganda's participation in the games.
According to a spokesman for Uganda's military, Sir Clive had "encouraged the CDF [Chief of Defence Forces] to proceed with preparations" to take part 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 [Ugandan People's Defence Force] would resume preparations to participate in the upcoming games," the Ugandan military spokesman said.
It remains unclear whether Buckingham Palace initiated the contact or whether Uganda reached out first.
Uganda had only been announced as a participant in the Invictus Games in July, becoming the 26th nation to join the event. The games are scheduled to be held in Birmingham next year.
Rob Owen, CEO of the Invictus Games Foundation, welcomed the reversal. "Uganda became our 26th nation earlier this year, joining a growing movement that provides year-round recovery opportunities for wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans across the world," Owen said, adding that Uganda had confirmed it would "continue to be part of the Invictus community."
A royal source described the outcome as "positive" for all sides and thanked Uganda for its understanding. The source also said that where there is uncertainty about the role of the Sussexes, organisations are welcome to seek guidance from the Palace.
