The Uganda Cranes officially kicked off the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Qualifiers (Group E) with a valuable point away from home against Kenya on Thursday, 2nd September 2022 at the Nyayo National Stadium.
In total, 15 players with attachment to the different clubs in the StarTimes Uganda Premier League were part of the Uganda Cranes 23-man squad in Kenya.
Of these, 6 started the game and 3 others were introduced as 6 were among the un-used substitutes.

Goalkeeper Charles Lukwago (KCCA), Denis Iguma (KCCA), Halid Lwaliwa (Vipers), Murushid Juuko (Express), Bobosi Byaruhanga (Vipers) and Milton Karisa started the game.





Express captain Enock Walusimbi replaced Lwaliwa just after 7 minutes after the latter picked up an injury, Ibrahim Orit replaced Moses Waiswa and last season’s UPL leading scorer striker Yunus Sentamu came on for Milton Karisa.

The unused substitutes were goalkeeper Joel Mutakubwa (Express FC), Innocent Wafula Esimu (KCCA FC), Gavin Kizito Mugweri (Sports Club Villa), Abdul Aziizi Kayondo (Vipers SC), Richard Basangwa (Vipers SC) and Uganda Revenue Authority’s forward Steven Desse Mukwala.
Midfielder Byaruhanga marked his first ever senior start on the national team having gradually made the mark through the FUFA Juniors League (FJL), St Mary’s Boarding Secondary School – Kitende, Uganda U-20 and U-23 teams.

Byaruhanga played full time in his third international cap on the senior team after making his debut against South Africa in June 2021 and recently during the build up with Ethiopia at Bahir Dar city.
He attributes this meteoric rise to consistent training, self-belief and adherence to advice from coaches as well as senior players.
“Personally, I am happy that I have been able to play football on the Uganda National senior team. It has always been my dream. Right from school days, I loved to train for extra hours. I am a believer who has it in my mind that I can do it and besides, I always listen to advise from the coaches, former players and senior players’ Byaruhanga testifies.
Defender Walusimbi was playing his second ever international match after the build up with Ethiopia in Bahir Day city.
Against Ethiopia, Walusimbi started at right back before he was replaced at half time.
In his second game, Walusimbi got introduced for the injured Halid Lwaliwa, just five minutes after kick off.
He boldly attributes the steadfast progress on the national team to his partner at the club (Express) and long serving Uganda Cranes defender Murushid Juuko.
‘Juuko and other senior players on the team as Isaac (Muleme) and Iguma (Denis) helped me settle in so fast. Even when I was introduced, they assured me of cover every time I committed myself in a tackle or an aerial challenge’ Walusimbi notes.
The team is already back in the country and will be preparing for the second game against Mali on Monday at the St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende.


It should also be noted that the current camp at Cranes Paradise Hotel in Kisaasi has three other players who ply in the StarTimes Uganda Premier League as URA FC captain Shafik Kuchi Kagimu, Martin Kizza (Express) and Kenneth Semakula (SC Villa).
How Uganda Cranes lined up against Kenya:
Charles Lukwago (G.K), Denis Iguma, Isaac Muleme, Halid Lwaliwa (5’ Enock Walusimbi), Murushid Juuko, Khalid Aucho, Bobosi Byaruhanga, Moses Waiswa Ndohondi (66’ Ibrahim Orit), Milton Karisa (83’ Yunus Sentamu), Emmanuel Arnold Okwi – Captain, 46’ Derrick Paul Nsibambi), Joseph Benson Ochaya (66’ Mustafa Kizza)
Subs Not Used:
Isima Bin Rashid Watenga (G.K), Joel Mutakubwa (G.K), Innocent Wafula Esimu, Gavin Kizito Mugweri, Abdul Aziizi Kayondo, Richard Basangwa, Steven Desse Mukwala
