Uganda national football team

Summary

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

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
Most capsGodfrey Walusimbi (105)
Top scorerEmmanuel Okwi (28)
Home stadiumMandela National Stadium
FIFA codeUGA
First colours
Second colours
Third colours
FIFA ranking
Current 92 Steady (4 April 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
Appearances7 (first in 1962)
Best resultRunners-up (1978)
African Nations Championship
Appearances6 (first in 2011)
Best resultGroup stage (2011, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022)
Websitefufa.co.ug

History edit

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 2 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).

Results and fixtures edit

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

2023 edit

28 March AFCON qualification Tanzania   0–1   Uganda Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
20:00 UTC+3 Report
  • Mato   90+1'
Stadium: National Stadium
Referee: Ibrahim Kalilou Traore (Ivory Coast)
14 June Friendly DR Congo   1–0   Uganda Douala, Cameroon
--:-- UTC+1
Stadium: Stade de Japoma
18 June AFCON qualification Uganda   1–2   Algeria Douala, Cameroon
16:00 UTC+1
Report
Stadium: Japoma Stadium
Referee: Pierre Atcho (Gabon)
7 September AFCON qualification Niger   0–2   Uganda Marrakesh, Morocco
20:00 UTC+1 Report
Stadium: Stade de Marrakech
Referee: Jean Jacques Ndala Ngambo (DR Congo)
17 November 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Guinea   2–1   Uganda Berkane, Morocco
14:00 UTC+1
Report
Stadium: Stade Municipal de Berkane
21 November 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Somalia   0–1   Uganda Berkane, Morocco
14:00 UTC+1 Report Mato   4' Stadium: Stade Municipal de Berkane

2024 edit

19 January Friendly Kuwait   0–2   Uganda Cairo, Egypt
17:00 UTC+1 Ssekiganda   10'
Kitata   85'
Stadium: Cairo International Stadium
22 March Friendly Comoros   4–0   Uganda Marrakech, Morocco
21:00 UTC±0
Stadium: Stade de Marrakech
26 March Friendly Uganda   2–2   Ghana Marrakech, Morocco
16:00 UTC±0 Stadium: Stade de Marrakech

Coaching staff edit

Position Staff
Head coach   Paul Put
Assistant coach   Sam Ssimbwa
Performance manager   Sven De Wilde
Goalkeeper coach   Gery Osste
Fitness coach   Mathieu Denis
Physiotherapist   Martin Michiel
Video analyst   Jelle Sevenhant

Coaching history edit

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

Players edit

Current squad edit

The following players were called up for the friendly matches against Comoros and Ghana on 22 and 26 March 2024.[6]

Caps and goals are correct as of 21 November 2023, after the match against Somalia.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Giosue Bellagambi (2001-11-08) 8 November 2001 (age 22) 1 0   Huddersfield Town
1GK Tom Ikara (1997-02-12) 12 February 1997 (age 27) 1 0   BUL
1GK Jack Komakech (2002-07-31) 31 July 2002 (age 21) 1 0   Vipers

2DF Timothy Awany (1996-08-06) 6 August 1996 (age 27) 42 0   Ashdod
2DF Nathan Asiimwe (2004-12-29) 29 December 2004 (age 19) 0 0   Charlton Athletic
2DF Halid Lwaliwa (1998-08-19) 19 August 1998 (age 25) 30 1   Bregalnica
2DF Bevis Mugabi (1995-05-01) 1 May 1995 (age 28) 18 0   Motherwell
2DF Kenneth Semakula (2002-11-14) 14 November 2002 (age 21) 13 0   SC Villa
2DF Elvis Bwomono (1998-11-29) 29 November 1998 (age 25) 6 0   St Mirren
2DF Toby Sibbick (1999-05-23) 23 May 1999 (age 24) 0 0   Heart of Midlothian
2DF Nicholas Mwere (2001-03-13) 13 March 2001 (age 23) 1 0   BUL
2DF Kaka Omony (1999-10-23) 23 October 1999 (age 24) 0 0   Bright Stars

3MF Allan Kyambadde (1996-01-15) 15 January 1996 (age 28) 25 1   El Dakhleya
3MF Bobosi Byaruhanga (2001-12-03) 3 December 2001 (age 22) 21 0   Austin FC
3MF Travis Mutyaba (2005-08-07) 7 August 2005 (age 18) 13 1   SC Villa
3MF Ashraf Mugume (1998-11-16) 16 November 1998 (age 25) 5 0   KCCA
3MF Ronald Ssekiganda (1995-09-13) 13 September 1995 (age 28) 1 1   SC Villa
3MF Moses Opondo (1997-10-28) 28 October 1997 (age 26) 2 0   Horsens

4FW Milton Karisa (1995-07-27) 27 July 1995 (age 28) 49 6   Vipers
4FW Fahad Bayo (1998-05-10) 10 May 1998 (age 25) 25 9   Vyškov
4FW Rogers Mato (1998-10-20) 20 October 1998 (age 25) 21 3   AP Brera
4FW Muhammad Shaban (1998-01-11) 11 January 1998 (age 26) 18 0   KCCA
4FW Steven Mukwala (1999-07-15) 15 July 1999 (age 24) 12 0   Asante Kotoko
4FW Denis Omedi (1996-06-13) 13 June 1996 (age 27) 2 0   Kitara
4FW Moses Aliro (1996-02-09) 9 February 1996 (age 28) 2 0   URA
4FW Carl James Mujaguzi (2000-05-05) 5 May 2000 (age 23) 0 0   Athlone Town
4FW Shafic Kakande 0 0   Bright Stars

Recent call-ups edit

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 Hannington Ssebwalunyo (1994-01-19) 19 January 1994 (age 30) 0 0   Maroons v.   Kuwait; 19 January 2024
GK Joel Mutakubwa (1994-07-17) 17 July 1994 (age 29) 5 0   Gaddafi v.   Kuwait; 19 January 2024 PRE
GK Ismail Watenga (1995-05-15) 15 May 1995 (age 28) 27 0   Lamontville Golden Arrows v.   Somalia; 21 November 2023
GK Jamal Salim (1995-05-27) 27 May 1995 (age 28) 13 0   Richards Bay v.   Somalia; 21 November 2023
GK Charles Lukwago (1992-11-24) 24 November 1992 (age 31) 24 0   Hawassa City v.   Algeria; 18 June 2023
GK Nafian Alionzi (1996-03-02) 2 March 1996 (age 28) 6 0   Defence Force v.   Algeria; 18 June 2023

DF Gavin Kizito (2002-01-14) 14 January 2002 (age 22) 12 0   SC Villa v.   Kuwait; 19 January 2024
DF Livingstone Mulondo (1996-10-15) 15 October 1996 (age 27) 7 0   Vipers v.   Kuwait; 19 January 2024
DF Rogers Torach (2003-06-23) 23 June 2003 (age 20) 1 0   Vipers v.   Kuwait; 19 January 2024
DF Patrick Bayiga (1993-08-15) 15 August 1993 (age 30) 0 0   Maroons v.   Kuwait; 19 January 2024
DF Rashid Okocha (1993-12-10) 10 December 1993 (age 30) 0 0   NEC v.   Kuwait; 19 January 2024
DF Aziz Kayondo (2002-10-06) 6 October 2002 (age 21) 21 1   Vyškov v.   Somalia; 21 November 2023
DF Ibrahim Juma (2004-05-06) 6 May 2004 (age 19) 5 0   CD Leganés B v.   Somalia; 21 November 2023
DF Joseph Ochaya (1993-12-14) 14 December 1993 (age 30) 65 3   El Mokawloon v.   Algeria; 18 June 2023
DF Fred Gift (1998-07-21) 21 July 1998 (age 25) 5 0   SC Villa v.   Algeria; 18 June 2023
DF Geoffrey Wasswa (1996-08-23) 23 August 1996 (age 27) 3 0   Ethiopian Coffee v.   Algeria; 18 June 2023
DF James Begisa (2002-09-27) 27 September 2002 (age 21) 5 0   URA v.   Tanzania, 28 March 2023
DF Rogers Ochaki (2003-06-23) 23 June 2003 (age 20) 0 0   Vipers v.   Tanzania, 28 March 2023

MF Bright Anukani (2000-06-26) 26 June 2000 (age 23) 18 3   Vipers v.   Kuwait; 19 January 2024
MF Laban Tibiita (1998-04-14) 14 April 1998 (age 26) 3 0   URA v.   Kuwait; 19 January 2024
MF Hudu Mulikyi (1995-04-25) 25 April 1995 (age 28) 2 0   URA v.   Kuwait; 19 January 2024
MF Allan Oyirwoth (2007-01-23) 23 January 2007 (age 17) 2 0   MYDA v.   Kuwait; 19 January 2024
MF Ramz Kawooya (1999-01-27) 27 January 1999 (age 25) 1 0   Express v.   Kuwait; 19 January 2024
MF Khalid Aucho (1993-08-08) 8 August 1993 (age 30) 70 2   Young Africans v.   Somalia; 21 November 2023
MF Farouk Miya (1997-11-26) 26 November 1997 (age 26) 79 23   Çaykur Rizespor v.   Algeria; 18 June 2023
MF Moses Waiswa (1997-04-20) 20 April 1997 (age 26) 30 3   KCCA FC v.   Algeria; 18 June 2023
MF Isma Mugulusi (2003-10-10) 10 October 2003 (age 20) 6 0   Makedonikos v.   Algeria; 18 June 2023
MF Siraje Sentamu (1995-06-07) 7 June 1995 (age 28) 4 0   Vipers SC v.   Algeria; 18 June 2023

FW Nelson Senkatuka (1997-09-10) 10 September 1997 (age 26) 10 0   Bright Stars v.   Kuwait; 19 January 2024
FW Arafat Usama (2002-09-27) 27 September 2002 (age 21) 3 0   KCCA v.   Kuwait; 19 January 2024
FW Alex Kitata (1998-01-09) 9 January 1998 (age 26) 1 1   BUL v.   Kuwait; 19 January 2024
FW Patrick Kakande (2003-04-25) 25 April 2003 (age 20) 1 0   SC Villa v.   Kuwait; 19 January 2024
FW Umar Lutalo (2003-12-15) 15 December 2003 (age 20) 1 0   SC Villa v.   Kuwait; 19 January 2024 PRE
FW Luwagga Kizito (1993-12-20) 20 December 1993 (age 30) 47 1   Hapoel Rishon LeZion v.   Somalia; 21 November 2023
FW Yunus Sentamu (1994-08-13) 13 August 1994 (age 29) 32 5   Vipers v.   Somalia; 21 November 2023
FW Richard Basangwa (2001-12-17) 17 December 2001 (age 22) 13 1   Wadi Degla v.   Somalia; 21 November 2023
FW Fred Amaku (1995-10-08) 8 October 1995 (age 28) 0 0   Maroons v.   Somalia; 21 November 2023
FW Rogers Mugisha (2003-06-06) 6 June 2003 (age 20) 1 0   Police v.   Zambia; 17 October 2023
FW Emmanuel Okwi (1992-12-25) 25 December 1992 (age 31) 95 28   Erbil v.   Algeria; 18 June 2023
FW Allan Okello (2000-07-04) 4 July 2000 (age 23) 22 3   KCCA v.   Tanzania, 28 March 2023
FW Sadat Anaku (2000-12-09) 9 December 2000 (age 23) 0 0   Dundee United v.   Tanzania, 28 March 2023

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 edit

As of 21 November 2023[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–present
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 Andrew Mwesigwa 75 7 2003–2014
9 Geoffrey Massa 72 22 2005–2017
10 Denis Iguma 71 1 2012–2021
Top goalscorers
Rank Player Goals Caps Ratio Career
1 Emmanuel Okwi 28 95 0.29 2009–present
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–present
Fahad Bayo 9 25 0.36 2018–present

Competitive record edit

FIFA World Cup edit

FIFA World Cup 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
  1978 Did not qualify 2 1 0 1 3 4
  1982 Withdrew Withdrew
  1986 Did not qualify 2 1 0 1 1 3
  1990 2 1 0 1 2 3
  1994 Withdrew during qualifying Withdrew during qualifying
  1998 Did not qualify 2 0 0 2 1 5
    2002 2 0 1 1 4 7
  2006 12 3 2 7 10 18
  2010 6 3 1 2 8 9
  2014 6 2 2 2 5 6
  2018 8 4 3 1 7 2
  2022 6 2 3 1 3 2
      2026 To be determined 2 1 0 1 2 2
      2030 To be determined
  2034
Total 0/16 50 18 12 20 47 51

Head-to-head record edit

Completely updated and corrected per the cited source on 4 July 2017 [8]

Source:[9][10]

References edit

  1. ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 4 April 2024. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  2. ^ Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 27 March 2024. Retrieved 27 March 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. ^ "UGANDA CRANES SQUAD NAMED FOR FRIENDLY MATCHES AGAINST GHANA, COMOROS". Federation of Uganda Football Associations. 9 March 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. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2023-07-21. Retrieved 2023-07-21.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  10. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2023-07-21. Retrieved 2023-07-21.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)

External links edit

  • Federation of Uganda Football Associations
  • Uganda at CAF
  • Uganda at FIFA