King Charles III intervened after Uganda announced it would withdraw from Prince Harry's Invictus Games, a move that initially dealt a significant blow to the Duke of Sussex's charity event.
Uganda had stated its withdrawal was to avoid being perceived as opposing the monarch. However, according to Chris Magezi, spokesperson for the Uganda People’s Defence Forces, King Charles's top advisor communicated with the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), encouraging Uganda's participation.
Magezi later tweeted that the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) would proceed with preparations for the Invictus Games. "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," Magezi wrote.
General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the CDF and Senior Presidential Advisor for Special Operations, reportedly stated, "We shall not participate in anything that does not have His Majesty’s approval." He also told The Times UK that he had to "quash" factions within the Ministry of Defence that supported what he called "Harry-Meghan [Markle] nonsense," asserting his support for the monarch.
The initial withdrawal announcement came shortly after King Charles released a statement clarifying that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are "private citizens with commercial and charitable interests," and are no longer working members of the Royal Family. This statement followed the couple's recent relocation back to the United Kingdom with their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, after six years in Montecito, California.
Prince Harry, who launched the Invictus Games in 2014, reportedly blamed his father's statement for Uganda's brief withdrawal. The Invictus Games is a multi-sport event for wounded, injured, and sick military service personnel.
Representatives for King Charles and Prince Harry did not immediately respond to requests for comment.