As Uganda Cranes gear up for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, the spotlight is on the handful of players carrying previous AFCON experience.
Of the twenty-eight man squad unveiled by Head Coach Paul Put, only five of them have ever represented Uganda at the continental showpiece.
Leading the group of seasoned campaigners is legendary goalkeeper Denis Onyango, who featured in both the 2017 and 2019 editions.
Onyango was also the skipper when Uganda reached the last 16 in 2019, providing a steadying influence at the back.
Joining him is current captain Khalid Aucho, a midfield anchor with prior AFCON exposure in 2017 and 2019 and defender Isaac Muleme (2019) whose presence adds experience to the backline.
Goalkeeper Salim Jamal Magoola returns after featuring in the 2017 and 2019 squads while defender Timothy Denis Awany rounds out the experienced contingent, having been part of the 2017 (Gabon) and 2019 (Egypt) tournament during Sebastien Desabre’s reign.
The rest of the squad—23 players in total will make their AFCON debut in Morocco.
Big names like Allan Okello, Rogers Mato, Ivan Ahimbisibwe, Reagan Mpande, and Bobosi Byaruhanga will all be seeking to make their mark on Africa’s biggest stage.
Others, including youngster James Bogere, Lorenzen Melvyn, Denis Omedi, Travis Mutyaba, Baba Al Hassan, Ronald Ssekiganda, Elio Capradossi, Kenneth Semakula, Toby Sibbick, Jordan Obita, Aziz Kayondo, and Hilary Mukundane, will also step onto the continental stage for the first time.
The squad is well-balanced across all positions:
Goalkeepers: Denis Onyango, Alionzi Nafian Legason, Salim Magoola
Defenders: Rogers Torach, Timothy Awanyi, Kenneth Semakula, Toby Sibbick, Elio Capradossi, Jordan Obita, Isaac Muleme, Aziz Kayondo, Hilary Mukundane
Midfielders: Bobosi Byaruhanga, Khalid Aucho, Travis Mutyaba, Baba Al Hassan, Ronald Ssekiganda, Allan Okello
Forwards: Rogers Mato, Uchechukwu Ikpeazu, Steven Mukwala, Denis Omedi, Reagan Mpande, Jude Ssemugabi, James Bogere, Shafik Nana Kwikiriza, Lorenzen Melvyn, Ivan Ahimbisibwe
