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Uganda national football team

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This article is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Uganda women's national football team.

Uganda
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)The Cranes
AssociationFederation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA)
ConfederationCAF (Africa)
Sub-confederationCECAFA (East & Central Africa)
Head coachPaul Put
CaptainKhalid Aucho
Most capsGodfrey Walusimbi (105)
Top scorerEmmanuel Okwi (28)
Home stadiumMandela National Stadium
FIFA codeUGA
First colours
Second colours
Third colours
FIFA ranking
Current 88 Steady (19 December 2024)[1]
Highest62 (January 2016)
Lowest152 (July 2002)
First international
 Kenya 1–1 Uganda 
(Nairobi, Kenya; 1 May 1926)
Biggest win
 Uganda 13–1 Kenya 
(Uganda; unknown date 1932)
Biggest defeat
 Egypt 6–0 Uganda 
(Alexandria, Egypt; 30 July 1995)
 Tunisia 6–0 Uganda 
(Tunis, Tunisia; 28 February 1999)
Africa Cup of Nations
Appearances8 (first in 1962)
Best resultRunners-up (1978)
African Nations Championship
Appearances6 (first in 2011)
Best resultGroup stage (2011, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022)
COSAFA Cup
Appearances1 (first in 2019)
Best resultQuarter-finals (2019)
CECAFA Cup
Appearances81 (first in 1926)
Best resultChampions (1928, 1929, 1930, 1932, 1935, 1936, 1937, 1938, 1939, 1940, 1943, 1945, 1947, 1948, 1952, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1973, 1976, 1977, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1996, 2000, 2003, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019)
Websitefufa.co.ug

The Uganda national football team also known as The Uganda Cranes represents Uganda in association football and is controlled by the Federation of Uganda Football Associations.

History

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It made its debut on 1 May 1926 against Kenya drawing 1–1. It qualified for its debut in the Africa Cup of Nations in 1962, the third edition of the tournament, which included only 4 teams. In the semi-finals, it was defeated and eliminated by United Arab Republic (2–1), and then lost the third place match against Tunisia (3–0).

It returned to the Africa Cup of Nations in 1974, where it was eliminated in the first round following 2 defeats against Egypt and Zambia and a draw against Ivory Coast. It was eliminated in the first round in the 1976 edition, being defeated by Ethiopia, Egypt and Guinea.

In the 1978 Africa Cup of Nations, it finished second in the group stages defeating Congo (3–1) and Morocco (3–0) and lost 3–1 to Tunisia. In the semi-finals it eliminated Nigeria (2–1) and in the final was defeated by Ghana (2–0).

In 2017 it qualified for the African Cup of Nations again after 39 years. It finished the tournament in the first round after two consecutive 1–0 losses to Ghana and Egypt and a 1–1 draw against Mali.

In the qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup, it progressed to the second round with a 4–0 aggregate win against Togo, and was drawn into a group with Egypt, Ghana and the Republic of Congo. It finished the group with 2 0–0 draws against Ghana, a win and a draw against the Republic of Congo and a victory against Egypt followed by a defeat at the home of the Pharaohs. The 9 points won were not enough for it to qualify against the 13 of the Egyptians who finished first in the standings.

In the qualifiers for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, it cruised through qualifiers against Tanzania, Cape Verde and Lesotho. In the competition proper, a 2–0 victory against DR Congo meant that it had won its first match in the competition for 41 years. In the other 2 games of the group Uganda obtained a draw against Zimbabwe (1–1) and a defeat against the hosts Egypt (2–0) qualifying in second place, to be eliminated in the round of 16 by Senegal (1–0). They qualified for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after South Sudan beat Congo 3-2 on November 14, 2024.

Results and fixtures

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Main article: Uganda national football team results (2020–present)

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixture

2024

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19 January Friendly Kuwait  0–2  Uganda Cairo, Egypt
17:00 UTC+1 Report Ssekiganda 10'
Kitata 85'		 Stadium: Cairo International Stadium
22 March Friendly Comoros  4–0  Uganda Marrakech, Morocco
21:00 UTC±0
Report Stadium: Stade de Marrakech
26 March Friendly Uganda  2–2  Ghana Marrakech, Morocco
16:00 UTC±0
Report
Stadium: Stade de Marrakech
Referee: Bouchra Kaboubi (Morocco)
7 June 2026 World Cup qualification Uganda  1–0  Botswana Kampala, Uganda
19:00 UTC+3
Report Stadium: Mandela National Stadium
Attendance: 45,000
Referee: Clement Franklin Kpan (Ivory Coast)
10 June 2026 World Cup qualification Uganda  1–2  Algeria Kampala, Uganda
19:00 UTC+3
Report
Stadium: Mandela National Stadium
Attendance: 45,000
Referee: Adissa Abdul Raphiou Ligali (Benin)
6 September AFCON qualification South Africa  2–2  Uganda Johannesburg, South Africa
18:00 UTC+2
Report
Stadium: Orlando Stadium
Referee: Pierre Atcho (Gabon)
9 September AFCON qualification Uganda  2–0  Congo Kampala, Uganda
19:00 UTC+3
Report Stadium: Mandela National Stadium
Attendance: 38,000
Referee: Mehrez Malki (Tunisia)
11 October AFCON qualification Uganda  1–0  South Sudan Kampala, Uganda
19:00 UTC+3
Report Stadium: Mandela National Stadium
Attendance: 38,000
Referee: Kalilou Ibrahim Traoré (Ivory Coast)
15 October AFCON qualification South Sudan  1–2  Uganda Juba, South Sudan
15:00 UTC+2
Report
Stadium: Juba Stadium
Referee: Ahmed Al Ghandour (Egypt)
15 November AFCON qualification Uganda  0–2  South Africa Kampala, Uganda
15:00 UTC+3 Report
Stadium: Mandela National Stadium
Attendance: 38,000
Referee: Alhadi Allaou Mahamat (Chad)
19 November AFCON qualification Congo  0–1  Uganda Brazzaville, Congo
13:00 UTC+1 Report
Stadium: Stade Alphonse Massemba-Débat
Referee: Mohamed Maarouf Eid Mansour (Egypt)

Coaching staff

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Position Staff
Head coach Belgium Paul Put
Assistant coach Uganda Sam Ssimbwa
Performance manager Belgium Sven De Wilde
Goalkeeper coach Belgium Gery Oste
Physical coach Belgium Mathieu Denis
Physiotherapist & Fitness coach Belgium Arthur Naudts
Video analyst Belgium Jelle Sevenhant
Team Doctor Belgium Arnaud Depraetere

Coaching history

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Interim coaches are listed in italics.[3][4][5]

Players

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Current squad

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The following players were called up for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification matches against South Africa and Congo on 15 and 19 November 2024.[6]

Caps and goals are correct as of 15 November 2024, after the match against South Africa.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Ismail Watenga (1995-05-15) 15 May 1995 (age 29) 34 0 South Africa Lamontville Golden Arrows
1GK Charles Lukwago (1993-12-11) 11 December 1993 (age 31) 24 0 South Africa Venda
1GK Nafian Alionzi (1996-03-01) 1 March 1996 (age 28) 6 0 Ethiopia Defence Force
1GK Mutwalibi Mugolofa (2000-11-02) 2 November 2000 (age 24) 0 0 Uganda KCCA
2DF Isaac Muleme (1992-10-10) 10 October 1992 (age 32) 51 0 Czech Republic Viktoria Žižkov
2DF Timothy Awany (1996-08-06) 6 August 1996 (age 28) 45 0 Israel Ashdod
2DF Halid Lwaliwa (1998-08-19) 19 August 1998 (age 26) 38 1 North Macedonia Bregalnica
2DF Aziz Kayondo (2002-10-06) 6 October 2002 (age 22) 26 2 Czech Republic Slovan Liberec
2DF Bevis Mugabi (1995-05-01) 1 May 1995 (age 29) 25 1 Scotland Motherwell
2DF Kenneth Semakula (2002-11-14) 14 November 2002 (age 22) 22 0 Uganda Villa
2DF Gavin Kizito (2002-01-14) 14 January 2002 (age 22) 12 0 Uganda Villa
2DF Geoffrey Wasswa (1996-08-23) 23 August 1996 (age 28) 3 0 Ethiopia Ethiopian Coffee
3MF Khalid Aucho (1993-08-08) 8 August 1993 (age 31) 75 2 Tanzania Young Africans
3MF Allan Okello (2000-07-04) 4 July 2000 (age 24) 28 3 Uganda Vipers
3MF Taddeo Lwanga (1994-05-21) 21 May 1994 (age 30) 27 1 Rwanda APR
3MF Bobosi Byaruhanga (2001-12-03) 3 December 2001 (age 23) 25 0 United States Austin
3MF Travis Mutyaba (2005-08-07) 7 August 2005 (age 19) 22 2 France Bordeaux
3MF Ssekiganda Ronald (1995-09-13) 13 September 1995 (age 29) 8 1 Uganda Villa
3MF Saidi Mayanja (2003-08-12) 12 August 2003 (age 21) 0 0 Uganda KCCA
4FW Rogers Mato (1998-10-20) 20 October 1998 (age 26) 30 4 North Macedonia AP Brera
4FW Derrick Nsibambi (1994-06-19) 19 June 1994 (age 30) 26 7 Uganda KCCA
4FW Steven Mukwala (1999-07-15) 15 July 1999 (age 25) 20 1 Ghana Asante Kotoko
4FW Denis Omedi (1996-06-13) 13 June 1996 (age 28) 11 2 Uganda Kitara
4FW Jude Ssemugabi (1997-03-03) 3 March 1997 (age 27) 4 1 Uganda Kitara
4FW Hakim Kiwanuka (2000-09-11) 11 September 2000 (age 24) 2 0 Uganda Villa
4FW John Paul Dembe (2005-07-03) 3 July 2005 (age 19) 0 0 Sweden Häcken
4FW Calvin Kabuye (2003-03-28) 28 March 2003 (age 21) 0 0 Sweden Sandvikens
4FW Shafik Nana Kwikiriza (2004-03-03) 3 March 2004 (age 20) 0 0 Uganda KCCA

Recent call-ups

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The following players have been called up in the last 12 months.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Tom Ikara (1997-02-12) 12 February 1997 (age 27) 3 0 Uganda BUL v.  Ghana; 26 March 2024
GK Giosue Bellagambi (2001-11-08) 8 November 2001 (age 23) 1 0 England Huddersfield Town v.  Ghana; 26 March 2024
GK Jack Komakech (2002-07-31) 31 July 2002 (age 22) 1 0 Uganda Vipers v.  Ghana; 26 March 2024
GK Hannington Ssebwalunyo (1994-01-19) 19 January 1994 (age 30) 0 0 Uganda Maroons v.  Kuwait; 19 January 2024
GK Joel Mutakubwa (1994-07-17) 17 July 1994 (age 30) 5 0 Uganda Gaddafi v.  Kuwait; 19 January 2024 PRE
DF Nicholas Mwere (2001-03-13) 13 March 2001 (age 23) 1 0 Uganda BUL v.  South Sudan; 14 October 2024
DF Elvis Bwomono (1998-11-29) 29 November 1998 (age 26) 10 0 Scotland St Mirren v.  Congo; 9 September 2024
DF Kaka Omony (1999-10-23) 23 October 1999 (age 25) 2 0 Uganda Bright Stars v.  Ghana; 26 March 2024
DF Toby Sibbick (1999-05-23) 23 May 1999 (age 25) 1 0 Scotland Heart of Midlothian v.  Ghana; 26 March 2024
DF Nathan Asiimwe (2004-12-29) 29 December 2004 (age 19) 0 0 England Charlton Athletic v.  Ghana; 26 March 2024
DF Livingstone Mulondo (1996-10-15) 15 October 1996 (age 28) 7 0 Uganda Vipers v.  Kuwait; 19 January 2024
DF Rogers Torach (2003-06-23) 23 June 2003 (age 21) 1 0 Uganda Vipers v.  Kuwait; 19 January 2024
DF Patrick Bayiga (1993-08-15) 15 August 1993 (age 31) 0 0 Uganda Maroons v.  Kuwait; 19 January 2024
DF Rashid Okocha (1993-12-10) 10 December 1993 (age 31) 0 0 Uganda NEC v.  Kuwait; 19 January 2024
MF Allan Kyambadde (1996-01-15) 15 January 1996 (age 28) 25 1 Egypt El Dakhleya v.  Ghana; 26 March 2024
MF Ashraf Mugume (1998-11-16) 16 November 1998 (age 26) 5 0 Uganda KCCA v.  Ghana; 26 March 2024
MF Moses Opondo (1997-10-28) 28 October 1997 (age 27) 3 0 Denmark Horsens v.  Ghana; 26 March 2024
MF Bright Anukani (2000-06-26) 26 June 2000 (age 24) 18 3 Uganda Vipers v.  Kuwait; 19 January 2024
MF Laban Tibiita (1998-04-14) 14 April 1998 (age 26) 3 0 Uganda URA v.  Kuwait; 19 January 2024
MF Hudu Mulikyi (1995-04-25) 25 April 1995 (age 29) 2 0 Uganda URA v.  Kuwait; 19 January 2024
MF Allan Oyirwoth (2007-01-23) 23 January 2007 (age 17) 2 0 Uganda MYDA v.  Kuwait; 19 January 2024
MF Ramz Kawooya (1999-01-27) 27 January 1999 (age 25) 1 0 Uganda Express v.  Kuwait; 19 January 2024
FW Muhammad Shaban (1998-01-11) 11 January 1998 (age 26) 25 2 Uganda KCCA v.  Congo; 9 September 2024
FW Fahad Bayo (1998-05-10) 10 May 1998 (age 26) 29 9 Czech Republic Vyškov v.  Algeria; 10 June 2024
FW Patrick Kakande (2003-04-25) 25 April 2003 (age 21) 2 0 Uganda Villa v.  Algeria; 10 June 2024
FW Umar Lutalo (2003-12-15) 15 December 2003 (age 21) 1 0 Uganda Villa v.  Algeria; 10 June 2024
FW Milton Karisa (1995-07-27) 27 July 1995 (age 29) 50 6 Uganda Vipers v.  Ghana; 26 March 2024
FW Moses Aliro (1996-02-09) 9 February 1996 (age 28) 3 0 Uganda URA v.  Ghana; 26 March 2024
FW Carl James Mujaguzi (2000-05-05) 5 May 2000 (age 24) 1 0 Republic of Ireland Athlone Town v.  Ghana; 26 March 2024
FW Nelson Senkatuka (1997-09-10) 10 September 1997 (age 27) 13 0 Uganda Bright Stars v.  Kuwait; 19 January 2024
FW Arafat Usama (2002-09-27) 27 September 2002 (age 22) 3 0 Uganda KCCA v.  Kuwait; 19 January 2024
FW Alex Kitata (1998-01-09) 9 January 1998 (age 26) 1 1 Uganda BUL v.  Kuwait; 19 January 2024

DEC Refused to join the team after the call-up.
INJ Withdrew due to an injury.
PRE Preliminary squad.
RET Has retired from international association football.
SUS Suspended from the team.
WD Withdrew.

Player records

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As of 19 November 2024[7]
Players in bold are still active with Uganda.
Most appearances
Rank Player Caps Goals Career
1 Godfrey Walusimbi 105 3 2009–2019
2 Emmanuel Okwi 95 28 2009–2023
3 Simeon Masaba 88 6 2002–2013
4 Tony Mawejje 86 8 2003–2018
5 Denis Onyango 82 0 2005–2021
6 Hassan Wasswa 81 0 2006–2019
7 Farouk Miya 79 23 2014–present
8 Khalid Aucho 76 2 2013–present
9 Andrew Mwesigwa 75 7 2003–2014
10 Geoffrey Massa 72 22 2005–2017
Top goalscorers
Rank Player Goals Caps Ratio Career
1 Emmanuel Okwi 28 95 0.29 2009–2023
2 Farouk Miya 23 79 0.29 2014–present
3 Geoffrey Massa 22 72 0.31 2005–2017
4 Majid Musisi 20 29 0.69 1987–2000
5 Hassan Mubiru 18 63 0.29 1998–2007
6 David Obua 16 36 0.44 2003–2011
7 Geoffrey Sserunkuma 14 54 0.26 2002–2017
8 Brian Umony 12 36 0.33 2009–2015
9 Jackson Mayanja 10 27 0.37 1988–1999
10 Patrick Kaddu 9 21 0.43 2018–2022
Fahad Bayo 9 29 0.31 2018–present
Philip Obwiny 9 48 0.19 1994–2003

Competitive record

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FIFA World Cup

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Final Qualification
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
1930 to 1958 Not a FIFA member Not a FIFA member
1962 to 1974 Did not enter Did not enter
Argentina 1978 Did not qualify 2 1 0 1 3 4
Spain 1982 Withdrew Withdrew
Mexico 1986 Did not qualify 2 1 0 1 1 3
Italy 1990 2 1 0 1 2 3
United States 1994 Withdrew during qualifying Withdrew during qualifying
France 1998 Did not qualify 2 0 0 2 1 5
South Korea Japan 2002 2 0 1 1 4 7
Germany 2006 12 3 2 7 10 18
South Africa 2010 6 3 1 2 8 9
Brazil 2014 6 2 2 2 5 6
Russia 2018 8 4 3 1 7 2
Qatar 2022 6 2 3 1 3 2
Canada Mexico United States 2026 To be determined 4 2 0 2 4 4
Morocco Portugal Spain 2030 To be determined
Saudi Arabia 2034
Total 52 19 12 21 49 53

Head-to-head record

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Completely updated and corrected per the cited source on 15 November 2024 [8]

Note: Country in italic is not a member of FIFA.

Source:[9][10]

Honours

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Continental

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Regional

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Awards

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References

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  1. ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Men's World Ranking". FIFA. 19 December 2024. Retrieved 19 December 2024.
  2. ^ Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 25 December 2024. Retrieved 25 December 2024.
  3. ^ Zziwa, Hassan Badru (25 May 2009). "Rise and fall of Cranes coaches". The Observer. Uganda. Archived from the original on 23 March 2012. Retrieved 29 July 2011.
  4. ^ "Rise and fall of Uganda Cranes tacticians". Soccer256 online. Archived from the original on 2 February 2012. Retrieved 29 July 2011.
  5. ^ "Johnny McKinstry unveiled as Uganda Cranes coach". www.newvision.co.ug. Archived from the original on 2019-12-09. Retrieved 2019-12-30.
  6. ^ "Coach Paul Put summons squad for South Africa, Congo games". Federation of Uganda Football Associations. 6 November 2024.
  7. ^ "Uganda". National Football Teams. Archived from the original on 2023-09-19. Retrieved 2022-06-14.
  8. ^ FIFA.com. "FIFA Tournaments – Compare Teams – FIFA.com". FIFA.com. Archived from the original on June 13, 2007. Retrieved 2018-05-31.
  9. ^ "Uganda". 29 March 2021. Archived from the original on 2023-07-21. Retrieved 2023-07-21.
  10. ^ "Uganda - Historical results". 29 March 2021. Archived from the original on 2023-07-21. Retrieved 2023-07-21.
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