Uganda has agreed to participate in next year’s Invictus Games in Birmingham after a private telephone conversation between the country’s military chief and King Charles’s principal private secretary helped settle a dispute over the Sussexes.
General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces and Senior Presidential Advisor for Special Operations, had announced last week that the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) would withdraw from the Harry-founded competition.
His decision was linked to what he described as the ongoing “Harry-Meghan nonsense” and concerns about Buckingham Palace’s position on the Duke and Duchess of Sussex following their return to the UK.
Sir Clive Alderton Steps Into Dispute
The situation was resolved after Sir Clive Alderton KCVO, the Principal Private Secretary to King Charles and Queen Camilla, spoke directly with General Kainerugaba.
According to Colonel Chris Magezi, acting director of Defence Public Information in Uganda, the conversation provided clarification about the King’s position and allowed the military leadership to reconsider its decision.
Magezi announced that General Kainerugaba had now approved Uganda’s participation in the Birmingham Games.
“The Chief of Defence Forces and Senior Presidential Advisor for Special Operations, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba has approved UPDF participation in the upcoming Invictus Games next year in Birmingham, United Kingdom,” Magezi said.
King Charles Gives Participation His Support
Magezi said Sir Clive told the Ugandan military chief that King Charles had been “moved” by his consideration of what the monarch’s opinion might be regarding the event.
The palace official also reportedly made clear that the King had no objection to Uganda taking part in the Invictus Games.
According to the Ugandan statement, Sir Clive encouraged General Kainerugaba to continue preparations for the UPDF delegation.
The military chief subsequently thanked the King for the clarification and said Uganda would resume preparations for the competition.
Dispute Began With Uganda’s Withdrawal
The controversy began when General Kainerugaba announced on social media that Uganda would pull out of the Birmingham event.
The decision came shortly after Buckingham Palace issued a statement concerning the status of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, emphasising that the couple are now private citizens.
The announcement generated an angry response from the Sussexes’ spokesman, who suggested that the palace communication had “directly or indirectly” contributed to Uganda’s decision.
The spokesman also accused Buckingham Palace of negatively affecting military personnel and veterans through its handling of the situation.
Palace Distances King From Dispute
King Charles, as monarch and head of the British Armed Forces, subsequently made clear that he supported organisations and initiatives that benefited military personnel.
The latest intervention by Sir Clive appears to have provided the specific reassurance Uganda wanted regarding the King’s personal position on the Invictus Games.
It remains unclear whether Buckingham Palace or the Ugandan military made the first approach that resulted in Sir Clive’s call.
However, sources close to the palace indicated that the episode demonstrated the effectiveness of the guidance previously issued by the King’s household.
The guidance was that organisations uncertain about how the Sussexes should be treated should contact Buckingham Palace for clarification.
Uganda Returns to Harry’s Competition
Uganda became the 26th member nation of the Invictus Games community this year and had been preparing to send UPDF personnel to the Birmingham competition.
The Invictus Games, established by Prince Harry in 2014, is an international multi-sport event for wounded, injured and sick serving military personnel and veterans.
Prince Harry has remained closely associated with the competition since its creation, although the event operates as a private charitable organisation rather than a Royal institution.
Uganda’s initial withdrawal had therefore been presented by General Kainerugaba as a decision intended to protect the country’s relationship with the British monarchy.
Longstanding Commonwealth Relationship
The palace’s involvement also comes against the backdrop of Britain and Uganda’s longstanding Commonwealth relationship.
Uganda became independent in 1962 and has remained a member of the Commonwealth since then.
King Charles, as head of the Commonwealth, is due to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua in November.
The monarch’s connection with Uganda also has a long history.
Queen Elizabeth II made the last visit to the country by a reigning British monarch in November 2007, when she and Prince Philip met President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and his wife Janet in Kampala.
The Birmingham Invictus Games will therefore see Uganda return to an event that had briefly become entangled in wider questions surrounding the Sussexes and their relationship with the Royal Family.
