Kampala, Uganda – June 4, 2025 – The Uganda Cranes left for Marrakech, Morocco on Monday evening aboard Qatar Airways, as they prepare to lock horns with two formidable African sides in a pair of international friendlies that promise to test the squad’s depth and ambition.
Head Coach Paul Put’s squad is scheduled to face Cameroon on Friday, June 6, before squaring off against The Gambia on Monday, June 9, 2025, matches aimed at sharpening Uganda’s competitive edge ahead of upcoming continental assignments.
Out of the 28-man squad summoned for duty, 20 players left with the team, while eight foreign-based stars are expected to link up with the team directly in Morocco. Among the notable last-minute changes, forward Muhammad Shaban replaced John Paul Dembe, who pulled out due to personal circumstances.
The international contingent includes well-known names such as Jordan Obita, Toby Sibbick, Elio Capradossi, and Steven Mukwala, who bring European and African club experience to the Cranes’ evolving setup.
Full Squad Breakdown
🧤 Goalkeepers:
Isima Watenga – Golden Arrows FC (South Africa)
Nafian Alionzi – Defence Forces FC (Ethiopia)
Joel Mutakubwa – BUL FC (Uganda)
Hannington Sebwalunyo – NEC FC (Uganda)
🛡️ Defenders:
Elvis Bwomono – St Mirren FC (Scotland)
Nico Wadada – Vipers SC (Uganda)
Elio Capradossi – AS Cittadella (Italy)
Arnold Odong – SC Villa (Uganda)
Toby Sibbick – Wigan Athletic FC (England)
Hilary Mukundane – Vipers SC (Uganda)
Jordan Obita – Hibernian FC (Scotland)
Isaac Muleme – Viktoria Žižkov (Czech Republic)
⚙️ Midfielders:
Bobosi Byaruhanga – Oakland Roots SC (USA)
Kenneth Semakula – Club Africain (Tunisia)
Allan Oyirwoth – New England Revolution (USA)
Enock Ssebagala – NEC FC (Uganda)
Abdu Karim Watambala – Vipers SC (Uganda)
Allan Okello – Vipers SC (Uganda)
Travis Mutyaba – Bordeaux (France)
⚔️ Forwards:
Dennis Omedi – APR FC (Rwanda)
Hakim Kiwanuka – APR FC (Rwanda)
Shafik Nana Kwikiriza – KCCA FC (Uganda)
Rogers Mato – FK Vardar (North Macedonia)
Steven Mukwala – Simba SC (Tanzania)
Usama Arafat – KCCA FC (Uganda)
Patrick Jonah Kakande – SC Villa (Uganda)
Ivan Ahimbisibwe – URA FC (Uganda)
🧳 Traveling Officials:
Rogers Mulindwa – Leader of Delegation
Paul Put – Head Coach
Sam Ssimbwa – Assistant Coach
As Uganda fine-tunes its squad for future regional and international campaigns, these friendlies offer a golden opportunity for players to make their case on the pitch, and for the technical team to assess squad chemistry in a competitive atmosphere.
The cranes is firmly grounded in building a winning future.
Photo: FufaMedia
