A trip to see mountain gorillas in Uganda emerged as one of the key attractions at the inaugural Invictus Gala in London on September 17, 2026.
Organisers auctioned the trip to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park during the event at the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich.
The offer placed Uganda’s tourism sector before an international audience of military personnel, veterans, officials and supporters of the Invictus movement.
The gala raised more than £1.6 million. The money will support the recovery of wounded, injured and sick military personnel and veterans through sport.
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, founded the Invictus Games Foundation in 2014. The organisation uses sport to help service personnel and veterans rebuild their lives.
Prince Harry described the gala as a tribute to people who kept going and those who supported them. He said no recovering service member should face the journey alone.
State Minister for Defence and Veteran Affairs Grace Ngabirano Akifeza led Uganda’s delegation. Uganda’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and Ireland, Nimisha Madhvani, and Maj Gen Richard Karemire also attended.
Before the gala, Ms Akifeza met Invictus Games Foundation chief executive Rob Owen. They discussed Uganda’s preparations for the 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham.
Mr Owen praised Uganda’s contribution to peace in East Africa. He also encouraged the country to promote the Invictus mission across the region.
Uganda used the event to promote its tourism attractions and strengthen support for injured servicemen and veterans.
