Uganda Cranes head coach Paul Joseph Put has selected a 22-player squad for the upcoming international friendly against Zanzibar, a special fixture organized as part of the Zanzibar Football Federation’s 100-year anniversary celebrations.
The invitational match will see Uganda take on the Zanzibar national team on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at the newly inaugurated Amaan Stadium. Kick-off is scheduled for 8:15 PM East Africa Time.
With the fixture falling outside the FIFA international window, Put has opted for a squad drawn entirely from the domestic scene, offering several local talents an opportunity to impress on the international stage. Among the notable inclusions is midfielder Kenneth Semakula, who earns a call-up despite currently being unattached.
The Cranes will begin their preparations on Monday, June 8, with a training session at MTN Omondi Stadium in Lugogo before travelling for the historic encounter.
Head Coach Paul Put shares his thoughts on the cancellation of the international friendly matches. pic.twitter.com/PU0MfW279u
— Uganda Cranes (@UgandaCranes) June 3, 2026
The Zanzibar trip comes after Uganda’s planned friendly engagements against Tanzania and Madagascar were shelved. The two matches had been scheduled to take place in Morocco this month but were ultimately cancelled due to concerns linked to the Ebola outbreak.
Goalkeepers
- Hannington Ssebwalunyo (NEC FC)
- David Lukwago (SC Villa)
Defenders
- Jonathan Odongo (UPPC FC)
- David Owori (SC Villa)
- Herbert Achayi (KCCA FC)
- Simon Kato Semayange (SC Villa)
- Gavin Kizito (KCCA FC)
- Raymond Barasa Mangoli (SC Villa)
- Hillary Mukundane (Vipers SC)
- Geoffrey Lubanga Kene (SC Villa)
Midfielders
- Joel Sserunjogi (KCCA FC)
- Kenneth Semakula (Unattached)
- Marvin Nyanzi (Express FC)
- Abubakali Walusimbi (Vipers SC)
- Joseph Seremba (NEC FC)
- Abdu Karim Watambala (Vipers SC)
Forwards
- Hassan Mubiru (SC Villa)
- Sammy Ssebaduka (KCCA FC)
- Arafat Usama (Vipers SC)
- Richard Basangwa (NEC FC)
- Ivan Ahimbisibwe (KCCA FC)
- Frank Ssebufu (SC Villa)
Leader of Delegation and FUFA Executive Committee Member Rogers Mulindwa addresses the cancellation of the international friendly matches. pic.twitter.com/kY6M705GEs
— Uganda Cranes (@UgandaCranes) June 3, 2026
The friendly is expected to provide valuable match experience for Uganda’s locally based players while also allowing Zanzibar to commemorate a landmark moment in the federation’s history with a high-profile regional contest.
