Uganda has officially joined the Invictus Games community, becoming the 26th participating nation and the first country in East Africa to be admitted into the global movement that uses sport to support the recovery and rehabilitation of wounded, injured and sick service personnel.
The announcement was made on Monday during the 14th Invictus Games Foundation Conversation held at Chatham House in London as part of the countdown to the 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham.
Welcoming Uganda into the community, the Foundation’s Patron, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, said the organisation’s growth is about reaching those who need support most and building lasting partnerships that ensure no one faces their recovery journey alone.
Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs, Hon. Kiryowa Kiwanuka, described Uganda’s admission as a significant milestone that reflects the country’s commitment to supporting servicemen and women who have sacrificed in the line of duty.
He said the partnership reaffirms Uganda’s belief that wounded and injured service personnel deserve every opportunity to rebuild their lives with dignity, purpose and hope.
Hon. Kiwanuka credited President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for his leadership and Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba for championing Uganda’s entry into the Invictus community following the Foundation’s visit to Kampala in October 2025.
He noted that becoming the first East African nation to join the Foundation is both an honour and a responsibility, adding that Uganda looks forward to learning from other member countries while contributing its own experiences to the global movement.
The Minister also confirmed that Uganda will participate in the 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham.
Uganda’s admission follows a partnership agreement signed between the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) and the Invictus Games Foundation in October 2025 to strengthen rehabilitation services for wounded soldiers. The Foundation has since visited Uganda’s rehabilitation facilities and supported veterans with sports equipment as part of ongoing efforts to promote recovery through sport.
