FUFA wishes to inform you that the application process for accreditation to cover the 100th Ordinary General Assembly on 4th October 2024 and the AFCON Qualifier 2025 match between Uganda and South Sudan on Friday 11th October 2024 is open via the FUFA Media Channel.
Media members are advised to log into their respective accounts to apply.
Application for the 100th Ordinary General Assembly closes on 29th September 2024 and for the AFCON Qualifier 2025 match between Uganda and South Sudan closes on 5th October 2024.
The arrival of Rogers Kassim Mato (Brera Strumica) at the Cranes Paradise Hotel finalized the roster of players summoned by Head Coach Paul Put Joseph for the two 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier matches at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole.
FUFA Communications has covered quite a number of national team stars while on international duty whenever they come together to represent their country.
With Uganda Cranes now in camp and ready to take on Botswana and Algeria on 7th June 2024 and 10th June 2024 in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, FUFA caught up with Steven Desse Mukwala-a player who has raised his profile by hitting the goals in the Ghana Premier League with Asante Kotoko and now in the Uganda Cranes set up.
FUFA Communications: Welcome to the Uganda Cranes Camp. What does it mean to you to be part of such a set up on national team duty?
Steven Desse Mukwala: It is a great honour for me to be part of the National team duty. It is a dream for any player to represent their country. I am not different from others. The feeling and connection between me and playing for my country in unbelievable. I am humbled and just cannot wait to give in my all for my beloved country and the entire team.
FUFA Communications: You’re wearing a beaming smile right now. Is it about the goal you scored against Ghana or the life you are enjoying in the Ghana Premier League with Asante Kotoko?
Steven Desse Mukwala: The goal against Ghana was of course of great impact. It helped build my confidence in the national team colours and I am so glad I scored. The Ghana Premier league has been so amazing with memorable moments for me to take home everyday and my teammates. As a club we have had challenges but the Kotoko fans have been lovely to the team. I can attribute this smile to the love I get from Ghana and also being summoned by the head coach of the national team to camp.
FUFA Communications: What kind of character and qualities do you bring to the Uganda Cranes camp as a striker that the rest of the team players will learn form you?
Steven Desse Mukwala: I think right now I am hungry for more. The fire in me to score goals in every game is what I possess right now and that is something to look up to.
FUFA Communications: Share with us your football journey from childhood until to-date and how has it inspired other young players dreaming to reaching such heights.
Steven Desse Mukwala: My journey is very interesting and full of great stories to share. I started from Kasese as a very little boy. The passion was evident right from Childhood. But the story changed the day my mother took me to Edgars Youth Programme in Kampala. I can firmly say my football journey started from Edgars Soccer Academy. Throughout my teenage years Mr. Edgar Watson made me the beast that I am today. He is a fatherly figure in my life and he will always have a special place in my life. From Edgars to Vipers SC and then to Maroons, followed by stints in URA FC and then to Asante Kotoko. It has been a journey to relish. I have had many young people reaching out to me for advice. But all I tell them is to keep working hard and show great discipline throughout their pursuit for greatness in their football journeys.
I went to Gayaza Cambridge College and later on Kibuli SS. I left profound football memories in both schools.
FUFA Communications: What message are you sharing with the fans looking forward to seeing the Uganda Cranes at Namboole again for the first time since 2019?
Steven Desse Mukwala: I call upon all Ugandans with great passion for football to show up at Mandela National Stadium. The players are excited and know the value of these games starting with Botswana on Friday. We have bene away from home for almost five years without playing at Namboole and that is a long time. We re ready as a team to exhibit our very best. We will fight for the 6 points in the two games.
The Uganda Cranes team currently in residential camp has welcomed Zamalek SC player Travis Mutyaba who arrived in the wee hours of the Friday morning. Mutyaba is a CAF Confederation Cup winner with Egyptian giants Zamalek SC.
Travis Mutyaba has arrived at the Uganda Cranes camp as the team continues preparing for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier matches against Botswana (#UGABOT) and Algeria (#UGAALG) on the 7th and 10th of June 2024 at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole.#UgandaCranesBackToNamboolepic.twitter.com/01Bo8FIoAY
The team had a training session at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole for the first time since 2019 where the Coach in his remarks was happy about the day one performance of his players.
The players in camp are Ronald Otti (BUL FC, Uganda), Chrispas Kusiima (Kitara FC, Uganda), Nicholas Mwere (BUL FC, Uganda), Shaban Muhammad (KCCA FC, Uganda), Joel Sserunjoji (KCCA FC, Uganda), Denis Omedi (Kitara FC, Uganda), Ronald Ssekiganda (SC Villa, Uganda), Umar Lutalo (SC Villa, Uganda), Jeans Braddy Wokorach (SC Villa, Uganda), Nafian Alionzi (Defence Forces FC, Ethiopia), Patrick Jonah Kakande (SC Villa, Uganda), Timothy Awany (FC Ashdod, Israel), Halidi Lwaliwa (FK Bregainica Stip, North Macedonia), Isima Bin Rashid Watenga (Lamontville Golden Arrows FC, South Africa), Kenneth Semakula (SC Villa, Uganda), Isaac Muleme (FK Victoria Zizkov, Czech Republic), Capradossi Elio (Calcio Lecco FC, Italy), Allan Okello (Vipers SC, Uganda), Nelson Senkatuka (Soltilo Bright Stars FC, Uganda) and Travis Mutyaba (Zamalek SC, Egypt).
Pictorial from training session on Friday at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole
L_R Timothy Awany, Isaac Muleme and Ronald Ssekiganda L-R Italy based Elio Capradossi, Travis Mutyaba, Nelson Senkatuka and Kenneth Semakula
Uganda Cranes Head coach talking to his player just before the training session started on Friday Shaban Muhammad holding a lemon green bib must have interrupted the talk of ‘left footed’ players Allan Okello, Isaac Mulema and Nicholas Mwere
Platforms where to purchase the match tickets for Uganda vs Botswana 7th June 2024) and Uganda vs Algeria (10th June 2024)
Uganda Cranes will utilise the upcoming international break by playing two friendly games against Ghana and Comoros in Morocco.
The first game against Comoros will take place on 22nd March 2024 before facing Ghana four days later. All matches will be played at Stade Grande Marrakech.
The team will depart Uganda today at 5 PM (Saturday, 16th March 2024), majorly with the local-based players while the foreign-based legion shall join the team in Morocco from their respective clubs.
It should be noted that Bobosi Byaruhanga, Nicholas Mwere and Allan Kyambadde withdrew from the squad after picking up injuries.
Team Captain Khalid Aucho is also missing the trip as he is recovering from an injury.
FUFA Executive Committee Member Dr. Apollo Ahimbisibwe is the Leader of Delegation.
Full squad
Goalkeepers Tom Ikara (BUL FC), Jack Komakech (Vipers SC), Giousue Bellagambi (Huddersfield Town FC)
Uganda Cranes head coach Paul Put has named a 26-man squad for two friendly matches in Morocco against Comoros and Ghana to be played during the FIFA international window of 18th-26th March 2024.
Captain Khalid Aucho and Abdul Aziizi Kayondo who had initially been summoned are left out after picking up injuries.
FUFA Communications Director Ahmed Hussein has confirmed that Uganda Cranes will utilise the international break by playing two matches at the Stade Grande Marrakech in Morocco.
The first match will see Uganda take on Comoros on 22nd March 2024 while the second fixture is on 26th March 2024.
The matches will be used to prepare the Uganda Cranes ahead of a busy international schedule this year with AFCON 2025 qualifiers coming up and FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign resuming.
The local-based players will converge immediately after the last game of the Uganda premier league matches before the international break while the foreign-based players will connect directly to Morocco from their respective clubs.
The squad has;
Goalkeepers
1. Tom Ikara – BUL FC (Uganda)
2. Jack Komakech – Vipers SC (Uganda)
3. Giousue Bellagambi – Huddersfield Town FC (England)
Defenders
4. Kenneth Semakkula – SC Villa (Uganda)
5. Elvis Bwomono – St. Mirren FC (Scotland)
6. Bevis Mugabi – Motherwell FC (Scotland)
7. Toby Sibbick – Hearts FC (Scotland)
8. Hallidi Lwaliwa – Bregalinca STIP (North Macedonia)
9. Timothy Awany – Ashdod FC (Israel)
10. Denis Kaka Omony – Soltilo Bright Stars FC (Uganda)
11. Nicholas Mwere – BUL FC (Uganda)
Midfielders
12. Allan Kyambadde – El Dakhleya (Egypt)
13. Ronald Ssekiganda – SC Villa (Uganda)
14. Ashraf Mugume – KCCA FC (Uganda)
15. Bobosi Byaruhanga – Austin FC (USA)
16. Moses Opondo – AC Horsens (Denmark)
17. Travis Mutyaba – Zamalek SC (Egypt)
Forwards
18. Milton Karisa – Vipers SC (Uganda)
19. Denis Omedi – Kitara FC (Uganda)
20. Rogers Kassim Mato – Brera Strumica (North Macedonia)
21. Moses Aliro Okabo – URA FC (Uganda)
22. Steven Mukwala – Asante Kotoko FC (Ghana)
23. Mohamad Shaban – KCCA FC (Uganda)
24. Fahad Bayo – MFK Vyskov (Czech Republic)
25. Carl James Mujaguzi – Athlone Town AFC (Ireland)
26. Shafic Kakande – Soltilo Bright Stars FC (Uganda)
2nd Assistant Referee: Eric Ayimavo Ayamr Ulrich – Benin
Fourth Official:Adissa Raphiou Ligali – Benin
Match Commissioner:Amir Abdi Hassan – Somalia
Match officials for the double header between Uganda and South Sudan in the 2021 Total Africa Cup of Nations have been named.
Uganda will face neighbours South Sudan next month on match day three and four with the first leg slated for 28th March at Mandela Nation Stadium.
The return leg will come three days at El- Hilal Stadium in Omdurman, Sudan.
Uganda is in group B alongside Burkina Faso, Malawi and South Sudan.
The Uganda Cranes began the campaign with a goalless draw away to Burkina Faso before defeating Malawi 2-0 at Mandela National Stadium with goals from Emmanuel Okwi and Fahad Bayo.
