Uganda Cranes Head Coach Paul Joseph Put has named a provisional squad of 36 players ahead of the 2024 TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN).
The announcement was made on Wednesday during a press briefing at the FUFA Complex in Mengo, Kampala.
Uganda Cranes squad includes four goalkeepers, twelve defenders, ten midfielders, and ten forwards. Notably, James Bogere, Brian Ijara, and Isima Magala, who recently helped the Uganda U17 National Team secure qualification for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), have been called up for the CHAN 2024 squad.
Uganda Cranes will begin training on Friday, 10th January, with non-residential sessions lasting until Sunday. Starting Monday, the squad will move into residential training at Cranes Paradise Hotel in Kisasi.
Uganda Cranes Coach Put explained that the first three days will focus on assessing the players before narrowing the squad down to 26 players.
“We will use Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for assessment and then finalize the squad with 26 players. Those who don’t make the final cut will continue with our program to ensure they remain prepared,” he said.
Addressing the inclusion of younger players, the coach emphasized the opportunity for them to showcase their talents.
“I believe these players are capable, and I wanted to give them the chance to train and compete at this level. We’ve seen players of their age make it to the senior team, and this is their moment to prove themselves,” Put added.
Additionally, Coach Put confirmed that the team will play two international friendlies, one on 17th January and another the following week, as part of their preparations.
The 2024 CHAN tournament will take place from 1st to 28th February 2025, hosted across Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
Full Squad:
Goalkeepers:
Hannington Ssebwalunyo (NEC FC)
Mutwalibi Mugolofa (KCCA FC)
Joel Mutakubwa (BUL FC)
Crispas Kusiima (Kitara FC)
Defenders:
Gavin Kizito Mugweri (KCCA FC)
Gideon Odongo (NEC FC)
Moses Aliro (URA FC)
Derrick Ndahiro (Vipers SC)
Enock Walusimbi (URA FC)
Arnold Odong (SC Villa)
Rogers Torach (Vipers SC)
Hillary Mukundane (Vipers SC)
Walter Ochora (BUL FC)
James Begisa Penza (URA FC)
Nicholas Mwere (BUL FC)
Paul Patrick Mbowa (Vipers SC)
Midfielders:
Joel Sserunjogi (KCCA FC)
Enock Ssebagala (NEC FC)
Ibrahim Thembo (NEC FC)
Emmanuel Wasswa (Express FC)
Ronald Ssekiganda (SC Villa)
Allan Okello (Vipers SC)
Saidi Mayanja (KCCA FC)
Brian Ijara (KCCA FC)
Patrick Jonah Kakande (SC Villa)
Isima Magala Mulala (Masaka Sunshine FC)
Forwards:
Hakim Kiwanuka (SC Villa)
Milton Karisa (Vipers SC)
Denis Omedi (Kitara FC)
Jude Ssemugabi (Kitara FC)
Shafik Nana Kwikiriza (KCCA FC)
Paul Mucureezi (NEC FC)
Isaac Ogwang (Police FC)
James Bogere (Masaka Sunshine FC)
Sadat Happy Anaku (KCCA FC)
Charles Lwanga (SC Villa)
