Uganda has become the second nation in Africa to join the Invictus Games Foundation (IGF), a charity founded by Prince Harry in 2014 to offer a recovery pathway for international wounded, injured and sick soldiers and war veterans.
The announcement of Uganda joining other 25 nations world over was made last week during a high level summit held at Chatham House in London. The summit themed From Policy to Practice brought together an international panel of Ministers for Veterans’ Affairs to translate rehabilitation policies into tangible support for wounded, injured, and sick.
Rob Owen OBE, Chief Executive Officer of the Invictus Games Foundation, said: “We are delighted to welcome Uganda into the Invictus Community as our 26th member nation. This is our strategy in action.
“Our ambition is to bring the Invictus Games Foundation’s approach to recovery to nations where it can make the greatest difference.”
He mentioned that Uganda had shown a real commitment to supporting its wounded, injured and sick service personnel, and “together we will help create further opportunities for recovery that will benefit individuals, families and communities.”
“We hope this is only the beginning—not just for Uganda, but for the wider region. By demonstrating the power of sport to support recovery, we can inspire others across Africa and continue building a movement founded on respect for the unconquered human spirit.”
The announcement follows an exploratory visit to Uganda in 2025 during which the Foundation was inspired by the resilience, determination and camaraderie within the country’s military community.
The visit also highlighted an opportunity to strengthen recovery pathways by introducing new opportunities for sport for recovery.
A subsequent visit to London in November 2025 by a Ugandan delegation enabled leaders to learn from more than a decade of international experience within the UK and explore how sport can become an integral part of rehabilitation and long-term recovery for those injured during service.
Kiryowa Kiwanuka the new Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs while attending the summit in London said Uganda was honoured to join a network that recognizes the transformative power of sport in rehabilitation, recovery, resilience, and reintegration.
“We are grateful to the leadership of the Invictus Games Foundation for their confidence in Uganda and for partnering with us to develop sustainable programmes for our veterans and serving personnel. Their support marks a new chapter for our servicemen and women,” Kiwanuka said.
“We are proud to join now and we look forward to competing in future Games.”
Uganda has also confirmed its participation in the Invictus Games Birmingham 2027, where it will make its Games debut alongside competitors from across the world.
The Foundation announced an initial development grant of £15,000 (Shs 74.1 million) to Uganda to provide essential sports equipment and establish its first recovery activities, creating opportunities for wounded, injured and sick service personnel to rebuild confidence, reconnect with others and rediscover purpose beyond injury.
The number of active-duty soldiers serving in the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) and military veterans is estimated at 45,000 and 68,000 respectively, according to the Ministry of Defense and Veteran Affairs. ntry
The Invictus Games Foundation is a brainchild of Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, who himself served in Afghanistan as part of the 100-strong 662 Squadron, 3 Regiment, Army Air Corps, as a co-pilot and gunner for an Apache helicopter.
On return from deployment in Afghanistan, Prince Harry, watched as the coffin of a Danish Soldier was loaded aboard for repatriation, alongside three injured British soldiers.
That moment had a profound impact on him and, following a visit to the US Warrior Games in 2013, he was inspired to create the international Invictus Games to celebrate the unconquered human spirit, and shine a spotlight on these men and women who served.
The Invictus Games use physical activity to provide both physical and mental health benefits that help rebuild strength, endurance, and confidence among army veterans.
Beyond the games, the Foundation provides a free platform for international wounded, injured and sick armed forces personnel, serving or veteran, through which they access a peer-to-peer support network. Activities range from sports, esports, adventurous challenge, employment, volunteering, speaking opportunities and more.
This isn’t the first time Prince Harry is involved in acts of goodwill in Uganda. The country is a place tied to his heart through the memory of a dear friend, Henry Van Strabenzee. Henry was one of Harry’s closest friends who tragically died in a car accident in 2002 at age 18. He had planned to volunteer in Uganda and after his death, a memorial fund was set up in his name.
Until 2023 when the charity closed, the Henry Van Strabenzee Memorial Fund educated thousands of Ugandan children through the 51 schools in Eastern Uganda. Both Princes Harry and William served as patrons to the Henry Van Strabenzee Memorial Fund for years.
In his 2023 memoir – Spare – Prince Harry mentions Henry (Henners) many times, referring to him as his best mate at Ludgrove with whom he roamed the school grounds.
