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Uganda national football team facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
This page is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Uganda women's national football team.
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Uganda
Shirt badge/Association crest
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 Decrease 2 (7 February 2019)
Highest 62 (January 2016)
Lowest 152 (July 2002)
Elo ranking
Current 87 Increase 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; 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
Appearances 7 (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 association football. The Federation of Uganda Football Associations controls the team.

History of The Cranes

The Uganda Cranes played their first game on May 1, 1926. They drew 1–1 against Kenya. In 1962, Uganda played in the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time. This was the third tournament, and only four teams competed. Uganda lost in the semi-finals to the United Arab Republic. They then lost the third-place match against Tunisia.

Uganda returned to the Africa Cup of Nations in 1974. They were eliminated in the first round. They lost two games and drew one. In the 1976 tournament, they were also eliminated early.

In the 1978 Africa Cup of Nations, Uganda did very well. They finished second in their group. They beat Congo and Morocco. They lost to Tunisia. In the semi-finals, they beat Nigeria. However, they lost 2–0 to Ghana in the final. This was their best performance ever.

After 39 years, Uganda qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations again in 2017. They were eliminated in the first round. They lost two games 1–0 and drew one game 1–1.

For the 2018 World Cup qualifiers, Uganda reached the second round. They won against Togo. They were in a tough group with Egypt, Ghana, and the Republic of Congo. Uganda earned 9 points but did not qualify. Egypt finished first with 13 points.

In the qualifiers for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, Uganda easily made it through. They played against Tanzania, Cape Verde, and Lesotho. In the main competition, they won their first match in 41 years. They beat DR Congo 2–0. Uganda drew with Zimbabwe and lost to Egypt. They qualified for the next round but were eliminated by Senegal (1–0). Uganda also qualified for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. This happened after South Sudan beat Congo on November 14, 2024.

Recent Matches and Future Games

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

Here are the results from the last year and any upcoming matches.

      Win       Draw       Loss       Fixture

2023 Matches

2024 Matches

Coaching Team

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

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

Past Coaches

Here is a list of coaches who have led the team over the years. Interim coaches are shown in italics.

  • England Alan Rogers (1965–1966)
  • Uganda Robert Kiberu (19??–1969)
  • West Germany Burkhard Pape (1969–1972)
  • Uganda David Otti (1973–1974)
  • West Germany Otto Westerhoff (1974–1975)
  • Uganda Peter Okee (1976–1981)
  • Uganda Jaberi Bidandi Ssali (1982)
  • Uganda Peter Okee (1983)
  • Uganda George Mukasa (1984–1985)
  • Uganda Barnabas Mwesiga (1986–1988)
  • Uganda Robert Kiberu (1988–1989)
  • Uganda Polly Ouma (1989–1995)
  • Uganda Timothy Ayieko (1995–1996)
  • Uganda Asuman Lubowa (1996–1999)
  • Uganda Paul Hasule (1999)
  • Nigeria Harrison Okagbue (1999–2001)
  • Uganda Paul Hasule (2001–2003)
  • Argentina Pedro Pasculli (2003)
  • Uganda Leo Adraa (2003–2004)
  • Uganda Mike Mutebi (2004)
  • Egypt Mohammed Abbas (2004–2006)
  • Hungary Csaba László (2006–2008)
  • Scotland Bobby Williamson (2008–2013)
  • Serbia Milutin Sredojević (2013–2017)
  • Uganda Moses Basena and Uganda Fred Kajoba (2017)
  • France Sébastien Desabre (2017–2019)
  • Uganda Abdallah Mubiru (2019)
  • Northern Ireland Johnny McKinstry (2019–2021)
  • Uganda Abdallah Mubiru (2021)
  • Serbia Milutin Sredojević (2021–2023)
  • Uganda Morley Beyekwaso (2023)
  • Belgium Paul Put (2023-present)

Meet the Players

Current Squad

These players were chosen for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification matches. These games were against South Africa and Congo in November 2024.

The numbers for games played (caps) and goals scored are correct as of November 15, 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 30) 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 29) 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 30) 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 23) 12 0 Uganda Villa
2DF Geoffery 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 31) 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 Ronald Ssekiganda (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 31) 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 29) 11 2 Uganda Kitara
4FW Jude Ssemugabi (1997-03-03) 3 March 1997 (age 28) 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 22) 0 0 Sweden Sandvikens
4FW Shafik Nana Kwikiriza (2004-03-03) 3 March 2004 (age 21) 0 0 Uganda KCCA

Other Players Called Up Recently

These players have been called up to the team 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 28) 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 31) 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 24) 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 26) 1 0 Scotland Heart of Midlothian v.  Ghana; 26 March 2024
DF Nathan Asiimwe (2004-12-29) 29 December 2004 (age 20) 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 22) 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 29) 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 25) 18 3 Uganda Vipers v.  Kuwait; 19 January 2024
MF Laban Tibiita (1998-04-14) 14 April 1998 (age 27) 3 0 Uganda URA v.  Kuwait; 19 January 2024
MF Hudu Mulikyi (1995-04-25) 25 April 1995 (age 30) 2 0 Uganda URA v.  Kuwait; 19 January 2024
MF Allan Oyirwoth (2007-01-23) 23 January 2007 (age 18) 2 0 Uganda MYDA v.  Kuwait; 19 January 2024
MF Ramz Kawooya (1999-01-27) 27 January 1999 (age 26) 1 0 Uganda Express v.  Kuwait; 19 January 2024
FW Muhammad Shaban (1998-01-11) 11 January 1998 (age 27) 25 2 Uganda KCCA v.  Congo; 9 September 2024
FW Fahad Bayo (1998-05-10) 10 May 1998 (age 27) 29 9 Czech Republic Vyškov v.  Algeria; 10 June 2024
FW Patrick Kakande (2003-04-25) 25 April 2003 (age 22) 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 29) 3 0 Uganda URA v.  Ghana; 26 March 2024
FW Carl James Mujaguzi (2000-05-05) 5 May 2000 (age 25) 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 27) 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

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

Most Games Played

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 Goal Scorers

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

Tournament Records

These tables show how Uganda has performed in major football tournaments.

FIFA World Cup Record

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
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 0/16 52 19 12 21 49 53

Honours and Achievements

The Uganda national football team has won several awards and titles.

Continental Achievements

Regional Achievements

  • CECAFA Cup
    • Med 1.png Champions (15): 1973, 1976, 1977, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1996, 2000, 2003, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019
    • Med 2.png Runners-up (5): 1974, 1982, 1994, 1995, 2000
    • Med 3.png Third-place (7): 1983, 1984, 1987, 1991, 2007, 2010, 2017

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Selección de fútbol de Uganda para niños

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