The Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) 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.
According to Acting Director Defence Public Information Col Chris Magezi, the decision follows a telephone conversation between General Kainerugaba and the Principal Private Secretary to His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen of the United Kingdom, the Right Honourable Sir Clive Alderton K.C.V.O.
In the discussion, Sir Alderton revealed that King Charles III was moved by General Kainerugaba’s sensitive consideration of the King’s opinion on the upcoming Invictus Games organized by Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex.
According to Col Magezi, 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.
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.
The Invictus Games is an international multi-sport event founded by Prince Harry in 2014 for wounded, injured, and sick service personnel and veterans. Uganda joined the Games this year as the 26th member nation, but the CDF had withdrawn UPDF participation in the upcoming games to preserve Uganda’s close relationship with the British Monarchy after Buckingham Palace had earlier issued a statement indicating that the Invictus Games were a private charity organization.
