Uganda Explores Sport Recovery Opportunities for Wounded Veterans with the Invictus Games Foundation
This week, the Invictus Games Foundation (IGF) is proud to welcome a Ugandan Ministerial visit to the UK, marking the beginning of a collaborative journey to assess and develop sport recovery opportunities for Wounded, Injured and Sick (WIS) servicemen, women and veterans.
Uganda becomes the first East African nation to begin formal engagement with the Invictus Games Foundation, joining a growing number of African countries exploring the power of sport in rehabilitation, recovery, and reintegration. The visit this week will include spending time with the Foundation in London, as well as visiting UK sport recovery and veteran programmes in action.
This followed a visit from the Invictus Games Foundation representatives to Uganda in October 2025 after an invitation from the Minister of State, Education and Sport. The IGF representatives Rob Owen, David Wiseman and Helen D’Oyley visited existing sport recovery facilities; viewed demonstrations of the adaptive sports on offer; met senior government officials, along with Ugandan WIS and their family members, to discover more about the impact of sport for recovery.
This initial phase of working together will focus on understanding the specific needs of Uganda’s WIS military community, building capacity and creating the conditions for long-term, sustainable sport recovery programmes. Working with Uganda reflects the Foundation’s commitment to expanding its impact across the African continent, particularly in places where support for WIS service personnel and veterans is limited and the need for recovery pathways is great.
Following on from our strategic launch earlier this year on catalysing systemic change in a growing international movement, we are delighted to be working with Uganda to expand sport recovery opportunities in regions where the need is great. We look forward to working alongside Uganda’s military community to understand their unique requirements and help create a pathway to recovery including the potential to see Ugandan WIS at a future Invictus Games.”
Rob Owen OBE CEO of the Invictus Games Foundation
As part of this developing work, the Foundation will offer guidance, shared learning from existing programmes, and connections across the international Invictus Community to help Uganda shape a domestic approach rooted in local context and long-term sustainability.
This visit marks the start of a meaningful journey. Our approach is collaborative and shaped around listening and learning first. Uganda’s commitment to supporting its wounded, injured and sick service community through sport sets a powerful example for East Africa, and we are honoured to be with them on this journey."
Lord Allen Chair of the Invictus Games Foundation
Uganda’s involvement builds on the momentum of a growing African presence within the work of the Invictus Games Foundation. Through shared learning, peer support and a common commitment to the power of adaptive sport, the Foundation is collaborating internationally to further the reach of recovery opportunities for the community.
David Wiseman, Chief International Programmes and Strategy Officer, Invictus Games Foundation, said, "There is tremendous potential for sport recovery across Africa, and we are seeing increasing interest from nations who recognise the life-changing benefits this community offers. Uganda’s involvement will hopefully inspire others across the region and help create a stronger, more connected network of support.”