Defender Bevis Mugabi and striker Uchechukwu Ikpeazu Mubiru won’t play in Uganda’s upcoming FIFA 2026 World Cup Qualifiers against Botswana and Algeria. Mugabi, who plays for Motherwell FC in Scotland, told Coach Paul Put he couldn’t join. Ikpeazu also won’t play due to health issues.
The announcement came on Wednesday during a press conference at FUFA Complex. Rogers Byamukama, a member of FUFA’s Executive Committee, shared the news.
To fill the gaps, Coach Put has called up Ronald Otti from BUL FC and Nelson Ssenkatuka from Soltilo Bright Stars FC.
The team will gather at Cranes Paradise Hotel in Kisasi on Thursday, 30th May 2024. Local players will join the camp tomorrow.
Foreign-based players like Halidi Lwaliwa, Nafian Alionzi, Timothy Awany, and Isima Watenga, already in Uganda, will join the camp on Thursday morning. Elio Capradossi, based in Italy, will arrive at 11 am on Thursday and go straight to camp.
The first training session will be on Friday, 31st May 2024, at Mandela National Stadium’s outside pitch, starting at 4:30 PM EAT.
Uganda will face Botswana on 7th June 2024 and Algeria on 10th June 2024. Both matches will start at 7:00 PM EAT at Mandela National Stadium.
Here’s the updated Uganda Cranes Squad:
Goalkeepers:
- Isima Bid Rashid Watenga (Lamontville Golden Arrows FC, South Africa)
- Nafian Alionzi (Defence Forces FC, Ethiopia)
- Crispus Kusiima (Kitara FC, Uganda)
- Braddy Jeans Wokorach (SC Villa, Uganda)
Defenders:
- Elvis Bwomono (St. Mirren FC, Scotland)
- Kenneth Semakula (SC Villa, Uganda)
- Isaac Muleme (FK Victoria Zizkov, Czech Republic)
- Abdu Aziizi Kayondo (MFK Vyskov, Czech Republic)
- Nicholas Mwere (BUL FC, Uganda)
- Ronald Otti (BUL FC, Uganda)
- Timothy Denis Awany (FC Ashdod, Israel)
- Capradossi Elio (Calcio Lecco FC, Italy)
- Halidi Lwaliwa (FK Bregainica Stip, North Macedonia)
Midfielders:
- Khalid Aucho (Yanga SC, Tanzania)
- Bobosi Byaruhanga (Austin FC, USA)
- Ronald Ssekiganda (SC Villa, Uganda)
- Joel Sserunjogi (KCCA FC, Uganda)
- Ibrahim Kasule (New York Red Bull II, USA)
- Travis Mutyaba (Zamalek SC, Egypt)
Forwards:
- Steven Dese Mukwala (Asante Kotoko FC, Ghana)
- Nelson Ssenkatuka (Soltilo Bright Stars FC, Uganda)
- Denis Omedi (Kitara FC, Uganda)
- Muhammad Shaban (KCCA FC, Uganda)
- Fahad Aziz Bayo (MFK Vyskov, Czech Republic)
- Rogers Kassim Mato (Brera Strumica)
- Patrick Jonah Kakande (SC Villa, Uganda)
- Umar Lutalo (SC Villa, Uganda)
- Allan Okello (Vipers SC, Uganda)
