Uganda has reversed its decision to withdraw from the 2027 Invictus Games, days after its military chief General Muhoozi Kainerugaba announced the country’s exit in a post on X.
The about-turn followed a reported telephone conversation between Kainerugaba and Sir Clive Alderton, the principal private secretary to King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
According to the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF), Alderton told Kainerugaba that King Charles had no objection to Uganda participating in the Games and encouraged the military to continue preparations for the Birmingham event.
The UPDF announced Uganda’s return on September 14, five days after Kainerugaba had publicly declared the country’s withdrawal.
However, Buckingham Palace has not independently confirmed that the reported phone call took place.
Kainerugaba announced Uganda’s withdrawal on September 9, saying the country did not want its participation to be interpreted as opposition to King Charles.
“In order not to be construed as being opposed to His Majesty King Charles III of the United Kingdom, whom we deeply revere, Uganda hereby withdraws from the Invictus Games,” Kainerugaba wrote on X.
He added: “We shall not participate in anything that does not have His Majesty’s approval.”
The announcement came shortly after Buckingham Palace clarified the status of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
The palace had issued guidance stating that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were private citizens and were no longer working members of the Royal Family.
The clarification followed Harry and Meghan’s return to the United Kingdom and questions over their relationship with the Royal Family.
Kainerugaba subsequently explained his decision to The Times, referring to divisions within Uganda’s Ministry of Defence over what he called the “Harry-Meghan nonsense.”
“I have factions in the Ministry of Defence that support that Harry-Meghan nonsense. I had to quash it straight away. I support the monarch. Period,” he was quoted as saying.
Uganda’s withdrawal lasted only a few days.
According to UPDF spokesperson Chris Magezi, Kainerugaba later spoke by telephone with Alderton, who conveyed the King’s position on Uganda’s participation.
Magezi said Alderton told Kainerugaba that Charles had “no problem with Uganda’s participation in the Invictus Games” and encouraged the Chief of Defence Forces to proceed with preparations for the UPDF’s participation.
Kainerugaba then accepted the clarification and directed the military to resume preparations. Magezi said the general appreciated the King’s message and the clarity provided by Buckingham Palace.
Reportedly, Alderton said Charles had been moved by Kainerugaba’s consideration of the King’s opinion before clarifying that the monarch did not object to Uganda taking part.
The reversal comes shortly after Uganda entered the Invictus Games community. In July 2026, Uganda became the 26th nation to join the movement and confirmed its participation in the 2027 Games in Birmingham.
The development marked Uganda’s entry into an international sporting movement created for wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans.
Prince Harry founded the Invictus Games in 2014, and the competition uses adaptive sport to support recovery and rehabilitation among current and former military personnel.
Uganda’s participation had received support from senior defence officials before the sudden withdrawal.
Two months before the withdrawal, Harry appeared alongside Uganda’s Defence Minister Kiryowa Kiwanuka at an Invictus event in London to announce Uganda’s entry into the Games. The Invictus Games Foundation subsequently welcomed Uganda’s decision to return.
Rob Owen, chief executive of the Invictus Games Foundation, said the organisation welcomed confirmation that Uganda would remain part of the Invictus community and participate in Birmingham 2027.
