Uganda withdraws from Invictus Games citing need for King Charles III's approval

In short:

Uganda has withdrawn from the Invictus Games, its defence force chief saying they wouldn't participate in any event that didn't have King Charles III's approval.

The Invictus Games is an international event started by Prince Harry for wounded, injured and sick military personnel.

Uganda's withdrawal from the Games comes just days after the king clarified that Prince Harry would not be resuming royal duties.

Uganda has withdrawn from the Invictus Games in order not to be construed as opposing King Charles' wishes, the country's defence force chief says.

The Invictus Games is an international event started by Prince Harry in 2014 for wounded, injured and sick military service people.

General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, chief of Uganda's defence force and son of President Yoweri Museven, said in a post on X that Uganda would not participate in any event that did not have King Charles' approval.

"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," he said.

Back in the UK

Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, returned to the United Kingdom in late August, six years after they moved to California amid tensions within the royal family.

In January 2020 the Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced that they would be stepping back from official royal duties.

On Tuesday, King Charles sent a letter to UK government and military officials saying that Harry and Meghan would not resume royal duties.

The Invictus Games have been held seven times since they were launched by Prince Harry, a military veteran, in 2014, including the 2018 edition in Sydney.

Last year the games were staged in Vancouver, Canada.

Veterans' services and mental health have become cornerstones of Harry and Meghan's philanthropy through their Archewell Foundation.

Harry's advocacy also includes visits with wounded military personnel, like last year's stop at a Ukrainian clinic that rehabilitates victims of war.

Harry's British military service included two tours in Afghanistan.

He has credited his experience witnessing fellow soldiers' battlefield injuries with inspiring him to help injured veterans lead healthy lives.

In a 2023 Netflix series he spoke openly about lacking the necessary emotional support upon his return from combat.

The participation of Uganda in the next games, to be held next year in Birmingham, was announced in July when Prince Harry was in London promoting the event.

In August, four members of the Ugandan boxing team reportedly failed to return home after competing in the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Ugandan sports website NBS Sport said the four athletes went missing in Scotland and had not rejoined the rest of the delegation before the team's scheduled return to Uganda.

ABC/AP