Uganda national football team facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Uganda

Nickname(s)	The Cranes
Association	Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA)
Confederation	CAF (Africa)
Sub-confederation	CECAFA (East & Central Africa)
Head coach	Paul Put
Captain	Khalid Aucho
Most caps	Godfrey Walusimbi (105)
Top scorer	Emmanuel Okwi (28)
Home stadium	Mandela National Stadium
FIFA code	UGA
First colours Second colours Third colours
FIFA ranking
Current	77 2 (7 February 2019)
Highest	62 (January 2016)
Lowest	152 (July 2002)
Elo ranking
Current	87 4 (3 March 2019)
Highest	40 (March 1978)
Lowest	129 (June 2005)
First international
Kenya 1–1 Uganda  (Nairobi, Kenya; 1 May 1926)
Biggest win
Uganda 13–1 Kenya  (Uganda; 14 December 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
Appearances	8 (first in 1962)
Best result	Runners-up (1978)
African Nations Championship
Appearances	6 (first in 2011)
Best result	Group stage (2011, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022)
COSAFA Cup
Appearances	1 (first in 2019)
Best result	Quarter-finals (2019)
Website	fufa.co.ug

The Uganda national football team, also known as The Uganda Cranes, represents Uganda in international football. The team is managed by the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA).

History of The Uganda Cranes

The Uganda Cranes played their first game on May 1, 1926. They drew 1–1 against Kenya.

Early Africa Cup of Nations Appearances

In 1962, Uganda played in their first Africa Cup of Nations tournament. This was the third time the tournament was held. Only four teams competed that year. The Cranes lost in the semi-finals to the United Arab Republic. They then lost the third-place match to Tunisia.

The Cranes returned to the Africa Cup of Nations in 1974. They were eliminated in the first round. They lost to Egypt and Zambia. They had one draw against Ivory Coast. In 1976, they were again eliminated early. They lost to Ethiopia, Egypt, and Guinea.

Reaching the Final in 1978

The 1978 Africa Cup of Nations was a big moment for the Cranes. They finished second in their group. They beat the Republic of Congo (3–1) and Morocco (3–0). They lost 3–1 to Tunisia. In the semi-finals, they beat Nigeria (2–1). In the final match, they were defeated by Ghana (2–0). This was their best performance ever in the tournament.

Recent Tournament Qualifications

After 39 years, the Cranes qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations again in 2017. They were eliminated in the first round. They had two 1–0 losses to Ghana and Egypt. They also had a 1–1 draw against Mali.

For the 2018 World Cup qualifiers, the Cranes did well. They beat Togo 4–0 overall. They were in a group with Egypt, Ghana, and the Republic of Congo. They finished with 9 points. This was not enough to qualify, as Egypt finished first with 13 points.

In the qualifiers for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, the Cranes played well. They qualified easily against Tanzania, Cape Verde, and Lesotho. In the main competition, they beat DR Congo 2–0. This was their first win in the tournament in 41 years. They drew 1–1 with Zimbabwe. They lost 2–0 to the host team, Egypt. They finished second in their group. They were eliminated in the Round of 16 by Senegal (1–0). The team qualified for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after South Sudan beat Congo on November 14, 2024.

Recent Match Results

This section shows the results of matches played in the last year. It also includes any future matches that are planned.

      Win       Draw       Loss       Fixture

2024 Matches

In 2024, Uganda played several friendly matches and World Cup qualifiers. They won against Kuwait (2–0) and Botswana (1–0). They drew with Ghana (2–2) and South Africa (2–2). They lost to Comoros (0–4) and Algeria (1–2). In AFCON qualifiers, they beat Congo (2–0) and South Sudan twice (1–0, 2–1). They lost to South Africa (0–2) but won against Congo (1–0).

2025 Matches

In 2025, Uganda has played friendly matches and World Cup qualifiers. They lost to Mozambique (1–3) but won against Guinea (1–0). They drew with Gambia (1–1). They have upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Mozambique, Somalia, Botswana, and Algeria. They are also scheduled to play in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations group stage against Tunisia, Tanzania, and Nigeria in December.

Coaching Staff

This table shows the current coaching staff for the Uganda national football team.

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

Coaching History

Many coaches have led the Uganda Cranes over the years. Some coaches have served more than once. Interim coaches are shown in italics.

Players

Current Squad

These players were chosen for friendly matches in June 2025. The numbers for games played (caps) and goals are correct as of June 9, 2025.

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
1	1GK	Hannington Sebwalunyo	(1989-05-28) 28 May 1989 (age 36)	0	0	NEC
18	1GK	Joel Mutakubwa	(1995-07-17) 17 July 1995 (age 30)	8	0	BUL
19	1GK	Ismail Watenga	(1995-05-15) 15 May 1995 (age 30)	38	0	Lamontville Golden Arrows
	1GK	Nafian Alionzi	(1996-03-01) 1 March 1996 (age 29)	9	0	Defence Force
2	2DF	Elvis Bwomono	(1998-11-29) 29 November 1998 (age 26)	13	0	St Mirren
3	2DF	Arnold Odong	(1999-03-02) 2 March 1999 (age 26)	0	0	Villa
5	2DF	Toby Sibbick	(1999-05-23) 23 May 1999 (age 26)	2	0	Wigan Athletic
13	2DF	Hilary Mukundane	(1997-12-22) 22 December 1997 (age 27)	5	0	Vipers
15	2DF	Jordan Obita	(1993-12-08) 8 December 1993 (age 31)	2	0	Hibernian
20	2DF	Isaac Muleme	(1992-10-10) 10 October 1992 (age 32)	53	0	Viktoria Žižkov
	2DF	Nicholas Wadada	(1994-07-27) 27 July 1994 (age 30)	63	1	Vipers
	2DF	Elio Capradossi	(1996-03-11) 11 March 1996 (age 29)	7	0	Cittadella
4	3MF	Kenneth Semakula	(2002-11-14) 14 November 2002 (age 22)	27	0	Club Africain
6	3MF	Bobosi Byaruhanga	(2001-12-03) 3 December 2001 (age 23)	26	2	Oakland Roots
8	3MF	Allan Oyirwoth	(2007-01-23) 23 January 2007 (age 18)	4	0	New England Revolution
11	3MF	Enock Ssebaggala	(2000-07-28) 28 July 2000 (age 24)	0	0	NEC
21	3MF	Allan Okello	(2000-07-04) 4 July 2000 (age 25)	33	4	Vipers
23	3MF	Karim Watambala	(2000-03-03) 3 March 2000 (age 25)	18	0	Vipers
7	4FW	Rogers Mato	(1998-10-20) 20 October 1998 (age 26)	34	5	Vardar Skopje
9	4FW	Ivan Ahimbisibwe	(1995-11-23) 23 November 1995 (age 29)	2	0	URA
10	4FW	Travis Mutyaba	(2005-08-07) 7 August 2005 (age 19)	25	3	Bordeaux
12	4FW	Shafik Nana Kwikiriza	(2004-03-03) 3 March 2004 (age 21)	1	0	KCCA
14	4FW	Denis Omedi	(1996-06-13) 13 June 1996 (age 29)	14	2	APR
16	4FW	Arafati Usama	(1998-06-27) 27 June 1998 (age 27)	4	0	KCCA
17	4FW	Muhammad Shaban	(1998-01-11) 11 January 1998 (age 27)	28	3	Al-Anwar Al-Abyar
22	4FW	Patrick Kakande	(2003-04-25) 25 April 2003 (age 22)	5	0	Villa
	4FW	Hakim Kiwanuka	(2000-09-11) 11 September 2000 (age 24)	6	1	APR

Recent Call-ups

These players have been called to the national team in the last 12 months.

Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club	Latest call-up
GK	Charles Lukwago	(1993-12-11) 11 December 1993 (age 31)	24	0	Venda	v.  Congo, 19 November 2024
GK	Mutwalibi Mugolofa	(2000-11-02) 2 November 2000 (age 24)	0	0	KCCA	v.  Congo, 19 November 2024
GK	Tom Ikara	(1997-02-12) 12 February 1997 (age 28)	3	0	BUL	v.  Ghana; 26 March 2024
GK	Giosue Bellagambi	(2001-11-08) 8 November 2001 (age 23)	1	0	Huddersfield Town	v.  Ghana; 26 March 2024
GK	Jack Komakech	(2002-07-31) 31 July 2002 (age 22)	1	0	Vipers	v.  Ghana; 26 March 2024
DF	Timothy Awany	(1996-08-06) 6 August 1996 (age 28)	45	0	Ashdod	v.  Guinea, 25 March 2025
DF	Aziz Kayondo	(2002-10-06) 6 October 2002 (age 22)	26	2	Slovan Liberec	v.  Guinea, 25 March 2025
DF	Bevis Mugabi	(1995-05-01) 1 May 1995 (age 30)	26	1	Anorthosis Famagusta	v.  Guinea, 25 March 2025
DF	Gavin Kizito	(2002-01-14) 14 January 2002 (age 23)	12	0	KCCA	v.  Guinea, 25 March 2025
DF	Rogers Torach	(2003-06-23) 23 June 2003 (age 22)	1	0	Vipers	v.  Guinea, 25 March 2025
DF	Halid Lwaliwa	(1998-08-19) 19 August 1998 (age 26)	38	1	Bregalnica	v.  Congo, 19 November 2024
DF	Geoffrey Wasswa	(1996-08-23) 23 August 1996 (age 28)	3	0	Ethiopian Coffee	v.  Congo, 19 November 2024
DF	Nicholas Mwere	(2001-03-13) 13 March 2001 (age 24)	1	0	BUL	v.  South Sudan; 14 October 2024
DF	Kaka Omony	(1999-10-23) 23 October 1999 (age 25)	2	0	Bright Stars	v.  Ghana; 26 March 2024
DF	Nathan Asiimwe	(2004-12-29) 29 December 2004 (age 20)	0	0	Charlton Athletic	v.  Ghana; 26 March 2024
MF	Khalid Aucho	(1993-08-08) 8 August 1993 (age 31)	76	2	Young Africans	v.  Guinea, 25 March 2025
MF	Ronald Ssekiganda	(1995-09-13) 13 September 1995 (age 29)	9	1	Villa	v.  Guinea, 25 March 2025
MF	Taddeo Lwanga	(1994-05-21) 21 May 1994 (age 31)	27	1	APR	v.  Congo, 19 November 2024
MF	Saidi Mayanja	(2003-08-12) 12 August 2003 (age 21)	0	0	KCCA	v.  Congo, 19 November 2024
MF	Allan Kyambadde	(1996-01-15) 15 January 1996 (age 29)	25	1	El Dakhleya	v.  Ghana; 26 March 2024
MF	Ashraf Mugume	(1998-11-16) 16 November 1998 (age 26)	5	0	KCCA	v.  Ghana; 26 March 2024
MF	Moses Opondo	(1997-10-28) 28 October 1997 (age 27)	3	0	Horsens	v.  Ghana; 26 March 2024
FW	Steven Mukwala	(1999-07-15) 15 July 1999 (age 26)	21	1	Simba	v.  Guinea, 25 March 2025
FW	Jude Ssemugabi	(1997-03-03) 3 March 1997 (age 28)	4	1	Kitara	v.  Guinea, 25 March 2025
FW	Calvin Kabuye	(2003-03-28) 28 March 2003 (age 22)	1	0	Mjällby	v.  Guinea, 25 March 2025
FW	Derrick Nsibambi	(1994-06-19) 19 June 1994 (age 31)	26	7	KCCA	v.  Congo, 19 November 2024
FW	John Paul Dembe	(2005-07-03) 3 July 2005 (age 20)	0	0	Häcken	v.  Congo, 19 November 2024
FW	Fahad Bayo	(1998-05-10) 10 May 1998 (age 27)	29	9	Free agent	v.  Algeria; 10 June 2024
FW	Umar Lutalo	(2003-12-15) 15 December 2003 (age 21)	1	0	Villa	v.  Algeria; 10 June 2024
FW	Milton Karisa	(1995-07-27) 27 July 1995 (age 29)	50	6	Vipers	v.  Ghana; 26 March 2024
FW	Moses Aliro	(1996-02-09) 9 February 1996 (age 29)	3	0	URA	v.  Ghana; 26 March 2024
FW	Carl James Mujaguzi	(2000-05-05) 5 May 2000 (age 25)	1	0	Kerry	v.  Ghana; 26 March 2024

Player Records

These tables show the players with the most games played and the most goals scored for Uganda. Players whose names are in bold are still playing for the national team.

Competitive Records

FIFA World Cup Record

This table shows how Uganda has performed in the FIFA World Cup over the years.

FIFA World Cup record										Qualification record
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									6	3	0	3	6	7
2030										To be determined
2034
Total										54	20	12	22	50	66

Africa Cup of Nations Record This table shows Uganda's performance in the Africa Cup of Nations. Africa Cup of Nations record Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA 1957 Not affiliated to CAF 1959 1962 Fourth place 4th 2 0 0 2 1 5 1963 Withdrew 1965 Did not qualify 1968 Group stage 8th 3 0 0 3 2 8 1970 Did not qualify 1972 1974 Group stage 6th 3 0 1 2 3 5 1976 Group stage 8th 3 0 0 3 2 6 1978 Runners-up 2nd 5 3 0 2 9 7 1980 Withdrew 1982 1984 Did not qualify 1986 1988 1990 Withdrew 1992 to 2015 Did not qualify 2017 Group stage 13th 3 0 1 2 1 3 2019 Round of 16 13th 4 1 1 2 3 4 2021 Did not qualify 2023 2025 Qualified 2027 Qualified as co-hosts Total Runners-up 8/35 23 4 3 16 21 38 African Nations Championship Record This table shows Uganda's performance in the African Nations Championship. African Nations Championship record Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA 2009 Did not qualify 2011 Group stage 15th 3 0 0 3 1 5 2014 12th 3 1 1 1 3 4 2016 12th 3 0 2 1 3 4 2018 12th 3 0 1 2 1 4 2020 14th 3 0 1 2 3 7 2022 11th 3 1 1 1 2 3 2024 Qualified as co-hosts Total 18 2 6 10 13 27 African Games Record This table shows Uganda's performance in football at the African Games. Year Round Pld W D L GF GA 1965 6th place 5 1 1 3 10 14 1973–1987 Did not enter Total - 5 1 1 3 10 14 CECAFA Cup Achievements The CECAFA Cup is a regional football tournament. Uganda has a very strong record in this competition. CECAFA Cup – Gold medal 15 times CECAFA Cup – Silver medal 5 times CECAFA Cup – Bronze medal 7 times Other Tournaments Uganda has also competed in other football tournaments. Year Round 1989 Peace and Friendship Cup Runners-up 1962 Ugandan Independence Tournament Runners-up

Honours

Continental Achievements

• Africa Cup of Nations
  • Runners-up (1): 1978

Regional Achievements

• CECAFA Cup
  • Champions (15): 1973, 1976, 1977, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1996, 2000, 2003, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019
  • Runners-up (5): 1974, 1982, 1994, 1995, 2000
  • Third-place (7): 1983, 1984, 1987, 1991, 2007, 2010, 2017

Awards

• African National Team of the Year: 2016

Summary of Medals

Senior Competitions				Total
CAF African Cup of Nations	0	1	0	1
Total	0	1	0	1

See also

In Spanish: Selección de fútbol de Uganda para niños