KAMPALA — Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba has reinstated Uganda’s participation in the 2027 Invictus Games scheduled to take place in Birmingham, United Kingdom.
According to a statement issued by the UPDF on Monday, Gen Kainerugaba approved the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) participation following a telephone conversation with Sir Clive Alderton, Principal Private Secretary to King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
The statement said Alderton conveyed a message from King Charles III indicating that the British monarch had no objection to Uganda participating in the games.
“Sir Alderton said King Charles III has no problem with Uganda’s participation in the Invictus Games, and encouraged the CDF to proceed with preparations for UPDF’s participation in the games,” the statement said.
Gen Kainerugaba reportedly welcomed the clarification from Buckingham Palace and agreed that the UPDF would resume preparations for the games.
The decision reverses an earlier move by the CDF to withdraw Uganda from the 2027 competition, according to a statement issued by Col Chris Magezi, Acting Director of Defence Public Information at the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs.
The UPDF had joined the Invictus Games this year as the 26th participating nation, but Gen Kainerugaba subsequently ordered the suspension of preparations for the next edition.
According to the UPDF, the earlier decision was intended to preserve Uganda’s relationship with the British Monarchy after Buckingham Palace had indicated that the Invictus Games was a private charitable organisation.
The Invictus Games is an international multi-sport event founded by Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, in 2014 for wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans.
The 2027 edition is scheduled to be held in Birmingham, UK.