Overview:

Put revealed the squad, which has 34 UPL stars and two others from a regional side, on Wednesday at a press briefing held at FUFA Complex in Mengo, Kampala. The squad comprises four goalkeepers, 12 defenders, 10 midfielders and as many forwards.

Uganda Cranes coach Paul Joseph Put has summoned a provisional squad full of StarTimes Uganda Premier League players to begin preparations for the 2024 TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN).

Put revealed the squad, which has 34 UPL stars and two others from a regional side, on Wednesday at a press briefing held at FUFA Complex in Mengo, Kampala.

The squad comprises four goalkeepers, 12 defenders, 10 midfielders and as many forwards.

Refreshingly, youngsters James Bogere, Brian Ijara and Isima Magala – fresh from guiding the Uganda U17 National Team to AFCON qualification – have also made the cut.

Bogere and Magala play with third tier division side, Masaka Sunshine FC, while Ijara is one of the bright prospects at KCCA.

The team will start training on Friday, January 10 with non-residential training up to Sunday.

From thereafter, the team will enter a residential camp on Monday next week at Cranes Paradise Hotel, Kisasi.

Coach Put explained that the first three days will be about assessment before the group is reduced to 26.

“We shall use Friday, Saturday and Sunday to assess the players and then have 26 players thereafter,” said Put.

“However, the players that will not remain in camp will continue following our programme to make sure they are ever on alert.” 

Put also hinted at two potential international friendlies lined up for January 17 and a week later.

CHAN 2024, a tournament reserved for players who play their football only in their domestic leagues, will take place on February 1-28, 2025 in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

Cranes Squad

Goalkeepers

Hannington Ssebwalunyo (NEC), Mutwalibi Mugolofa (KCCA),Joel Mutakubwa (BUL), Crispas Kusiima (Kitara)

Defenders

Gavin Kizito Mugweri (KCCA), Gideon Odongo (NEC), Moses Aliro (URA), Derrick Ndahiro (Vipers SC), Enock Walusimbi (URA), Arnold Odong (SC Villa), Rogers Torach (Vipers SC), Hillary Mukundane (Vipers SC), Walter Ochora (BUL), James Begisa Penza (URA), Nicholas Mwere (BUL), Paul Patrick Mbowa (Vipers SC)

Midfielders

Joel Sserunjogi (KCCA), Enock Ssebagala (NEC), Ibrahim Thembo (NEC), Emmanuel Wasswa (Express), Ronald Ssekiganda (SC Villa), Allan Okello (Vipers SC), Saidi Mayanja (KCCA), Brian Ijara (KCCA), Patrick Jonah Kakande (SC Villa), Isima Magala Mulala (Masaka Sunshine FC)

Forwards

Hakim Kiwanuka (SC Villa,) Milton Karisa (Vipers SC), Denis Omedi (Kitara), Jude Ssemugabi (Kitara), Shafik Nana Kwikiriza (KCCA), Paul Mucureezi (NEC), Isaac Ogwang (Police), James Bogere (Masaka Sunshine FC), Sadat Happy Anaku (KCCA), Charles Lwanga (SC Villa)