Uganda has announced its withdrawal from the Invictus Games, stating it will not participate in any event without King Charles's approval. The decision has been branded "odd" by a GB News presenter, adding to recent pressure on Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
Uganda's withdrawal statement
On Wednesday (September 9), General Muhoozi Kainerugaba wrote on X that "Uganda hereby withdraws from the Invictus Games" because he did not want the country's participation to be "construed as being opposed to His Majesty King Charles III of the United Kingdom, whom we deeply revere".
The announcement follows the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's return to the UK last month, after which Buckingham Palace released a statement clarifying that they will remain non-working royals and live as "private citizens".
Presenter questions the reasoning
Presenter Patrick Christys welcomed royal reporter Jack Stooks onto the show to analyse the update. Stooks confessed: "I think this is quite questionable as to why this is actually happening."
He added: "When you look at the bigger picture, Uganda pulling out of the Invictus Games, saying that they're not doing it because they haven't got the King's say so that he can do this. Uganda has nothing more to do with the United Kingdom; it gained independence in 1962."
Stooks pointed out that Prince Harry and the Royal Family have nothing to do with the sporting event, which is meant to celebrate and champion the wounded, injured and sick military service members and veterans. He said: "The Invictus Games isn't about the family feud, and it's not about Harry. They are about seeing people who are disabled from fighting for their country and having life-threatening disabilities, and I think that's where the importance is in the Invictus Games."
Public reaction and context
Viewers took to social media to share their thoughts on the update. One user penned: "It's been a long time coming. People are fed up with Harry using the games to showcase his wife instead of veterans." Another agreed: "Harry and Meghan turned it into a circus." A third argued: "If a country wants to opt out then that's their choice. No one has the right to tell them they can't."
Stooks noted that Uganda had recently been given a £15,000 grant to buy equipment for the country, and that they had "very happily thanked Prince Harry at the time for letting them join the Invictus Games". The withdrawal comes after people close to Prince Harry blamed a letter sent on behalf of King Charles for Uganda's decision.
