Uganda joins Invictus Community, confirms debut at Birmingham 2027 Games

July 8, 2026 in Foreign News by Editor

Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs, Kiryowa Kiwanuka, shakes hands with prince Harry at the IGF Conversation

Uganda has become the 26th member of the Invictus Community and will make its first appearance at the Invictus Games Birmingham 2027, marking a major step in using adaptive sport to support the rehabilitation and reintegration of wounded military personnel and veterans.

Uganda has become the 26th nation to join the Invictus Community, marking a significant milestone in the country’s support for the recovery and rehabilitation of wounded, injured and sick military personnel through sport.

The development was revealed in a statement published on the LinkedIn page of Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, following an announcement by the Invictus Games Foundation during the IGF Conversation: From Policy to Practice held in London. The statement also confirmed that Uganda will make its debut at the Invictus Games Birmingham 2027.

Uganda is only the second African country to join the global movement founded to use adaptive sport as a tool for physical recovery, mental wellbeing and social reintegration of serving personnel and military veterans.

The country’s admission follows an exploratory visit by the Invictus Games Foundation in 2025, during which officials assessed Uganda’s capacity to implement recovery programmes built around sport. A subsequent visit by a Ugandan delegation to the United Kingdom in November 2025 enabled officials to study Britain’s model of integrating sport into rehabilitation services for wounded service personnel.

To support Uganda’s entry into the programme, the Foundation has awarded an initial development grant of £15,000. The funding will be used to procure sports equipment and establish Uganda’s first organised recovery activities for wounded, injured and sick members of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF).

Invictus Games Foundation Chief Executive Officer Rob Owen OBE said Uganda’s admission reflects the organisation’s commitment to extending recovery opportunities to more countries.

He said expanding the Invictus Community enables more wounded service personnel and veterans to benefit from programmes that use sport to rebuild confidence, resilience and purpose beyond military service.

Uganda’s Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs, Kiryowa-Kiwanuka, described the partnership as an important step towards strengthening rehabilitation and reintegration services for military personnel.

He said joining the Invictus Community demonstrates Uganda’s commitment to supporting wounded service members while creating opportunities for them to rebuild their lives through competitive sport and international engagement.

The Minister added that Uganda looks forward to participating in the Birmingham 2027 Games and becoming an active member of the global network.

Invictus Games Birmingham 2027 Chief Executive Officer Helen Helliwell welcomed Uganda’s participation, noting that the next edition is expected to be the largest in the event’s history.

Beyond the sporting arena, Uganda’s admission reflects a growing recognition across defence institutions worldwide that recovery from physical and psychological injuries extends beyond medical treatment. Increasingly, adaptive sport is being integrated into veteran support programmes as governments seek to improve long-term wellbeing, social inclusion and post-service reintegration.

For Uganda, participation in the Invictus Community also presents an opportunity to strengthen rehabilitation systems for military personnel while showcasing the resilience of its servicemen and women on an international platform.