Uganda has withdrawn from Prince Harry's Invictus Games, with the African nation's military chief saying it would not participate in anything without King Charles' approval.
General Muhoozi Kainerugaba announced the withdrawal on social media, saying Uganda did not want to be seen as opposing the King amid ongoing royal tensions.
“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 said.
"We shall not participate in anything that does not have His Majesty’s approval."
Kainerugaba, who is the son of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, reportedly told The Times the decision was connected to ongoing tensions surrounding Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex.
"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 said.
Uganda only joined the Invictus Games in July, becoming the 26th country to take part.
Its defence minister, Kiryowa Kiwanuka, appeared alongside Harry in London to announce the country's involvement in the event.
The Invictus Games were founded by Harry in 2014 for wounded, injured and sick military personnel and veterans.
Uganda's withdrawal came days after a letter was sent to senior British government and military officials on behalf of King Charles, reiterating that Harry and Meghan were no longer working members of the Royal Family despite their return to the UK.
The letter said the couple's charitable work was undertaken privately and described their position as similar to "private citizens with commercial and charitable interests".
A Ugandan government spokesperson told the BBC that Kainerugaba, who had led the country's military since 2024, had the authority to decide whether its armed forces participated in the Games.
The next Invictus Games would take place in Birmingham from July 10 to 17, 2027.
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