News Story

Uganda has re-joined the Duke of Sussex’s Invictus Games after the King’s top aide encouraged the country to take part.

Sir Clive Alderton, Charles’ principal private secretary, spoke by phone to Uganda’s military chief General Muhoozi Kainerugaba after he pulled his country’s military competitors out of the sporting event, saying they would not take part in anything that does not have the King’s “approval”.

General Kainerugaba, who is known for his controversial posts on social media, made the declaration last week, a day after the King issued guidelines by letter that Harry and the Duchess of Sussex were “private citizens”.

He told The Times the decision to withdraw from the competition was made to quash support in the military for “that Harry-Meghan nonsense”, adding: “I support the monarch. Period.”

Colonel Chris Magezi, acting director defence public information, posted a lengthy update about the U-turn, saying: “In the discussion, Sir Alderton revealed that King Charles Ill was moved by General Kainerugaba’s sensitive consideration of the King’s opinion on the upcoming Invictus Games organised by Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex.

“Sir Alderton said King Charles Ill has no problem with Uganda’s participation in the Invictus Games, and encouraged the CDF to proceed with preparations for UPDF’s (Uganda People’s Defence Force) participation in the games.”

Team Sussex, who were given about an hour’s notice of the release last Monday of the Lord Chamberlain’s letter, did not have time to clarify any of the points, and Harry and Meghan were said to prefer the phrase “public figures” rather than “private citizens”.

The letter from royal aide Lord Benyon, whose office is responsible for organising the King’s ceremonial and public-facing events, makes clear the duke and duchess do not use their HRH styles and any operational security issues involving them should be directed to the relevant police authorities.

A Sussex source told ITV News about Uganda’s withdrawal: “Intended or unintended, this is clearly a consequence of the Lord Chamberlain’s guidance regarding the Duke and Duchess of Sussex that was rushed out without consultation on Monday.”

Colonel Magezi said in his social media post: “In the telephone conversation, 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.”

It is not known whether Sir Clive contacted General Kainerugaba first or if the military chief approached Buckingham Palace for clarity.

It is understood the resolution is being viewed as the process of clarification working, when organisations seek guidance about the Sussexes.

Harry is staging his tournament for injured, sick or wounded former and still-serving service personnel in Birmingham next year, and is said to want the King to attend its opening ceremony.

Uganda was proudly announced as the latest member of the Invictus family in a London ceremony involving the duke just two months ago becoming only the second African nation to join after Nigeria.

The foundation, which hailed the country’s inclusion as “another important step in the growth of the Invictus movement”, has since funded new sports and adaptive equipment to help kickstart sports recovery in Uganda.

Charles, who has had a troubled relationship with his youngest son in the past, was at Harry’s side for the inaugural Invictus Games in London in 2014.

The King, who is head of the armed forces, is said to encourage all organisations and endeavours in support of wounded service personnel.