The Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has welcomed a partnership with the UK based Invictus Games Foundation, a move aimed at bolstering the rehabilitation of wounded UPDF soldiers.

This was during a meeting at the Chieftaincy of Defence Intelligence and Security Headquarters in Mbuya, where Gen Kainerugaba hosted a delegation from the global movement including Mr David Wiseman and Ms Helen D’Oley.

The CDF welcomed the delegation, expressing the UPDF’s openness for the Invictus Games’ mission to use sport to inspire recovery and wellness for injured and sick servicemen and women.

The visit by the Invictus team is seen as a significant step towards formalizing cooperation. 

The delegation’s itinerary included prior meetings with His Excellency President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and the Minister of Defence, Oboth Oboth, signaling high-level government support for the potential collaboration.

The delegation also visited the UPDF’s Defence Forces Rehabilitation and Vocational Centre in Mubende, where they witnessed the resilience of Ugandan soldiers injured in the line of duty.

The CDF emphasized that a partnership with an organization of Invictus’s “global stature and expertise” could significantly enhance Uganda’s efforts to provide comprehensive care. He expressed keen interest in exploring all avenues of collaboration, including expertise sharing and adaptive sports programs, to support the physical, psychological, and social well-being of injured soldiers.

The meeting was also attended by the Minister of State for Sports, Peter Ogwang; the UPDF Joint Staff – Formal Education, Sports and Culture, Brig Gen Richard Karemire; the General Secretary of the National Council of Sports; as well as the Senior Presidential Assistant for Tourism and the Private Secretary to the President in charge of Sports.

MoU Signed

During the meeting, a Memorandum of Understanding on sports was signed between the Ministry of Education and Sports and the Invictus Games Foundation.

The delegation expressed their gratitude for the hospitality and commended Uganda for the excellent coordination and support during their visit.

The minister thanked the CDF for making time in his busy schedule to meet the team and encouraged the military to promote greater participation in sports by its personnel at the national level.

About Invictus

The Invictus Games were founded in 2014 by Britain’s Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex. He was inspired to create the event after visiting the Warrior Games in the United States in 2013 and witnessing the powerful role that sport played in the recovery and rehabilitation of wounded service members.