The road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup is drawing closer, and Uganda’s national football team has added heavyweight reinforcements ahead of their opening Group G clash against Mozambique.
Team captain Khalid Aucho and prolific forward Steven Desse Mukwala have checked into the Cranes’ camp, bringing Tanzanian top-flight experience from Young Africans SC and Simba SC respectively. Their arrival injects leadership, grit, and firepower into a squad already buzzing with anticipation.
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Aucho joins a busy midfield department featuring the likes of Ronald Ssekiganda, Kenneth Ssemugabi, Joel Sserunjogi, Abdu Karim Watambala, and Travis Mutyaba—players combining homegrown flair with international seasoning.
Mukwala, on the other hand, strengthens a striking unit that has grown increasingly cosmopolitan: towering English-born Karl Anthony Uchechukwu Mubiru Ikpeazu, Vietnam-based marksman Joseph Mpande, Swedish sensation John Paul Dembe, Macedonia’s Rogers Mato, Rwanda’s Denis Omedi, Kitara’s Jude Ssemugabi, and Vipers stars Patrick Jonah Kakande and Allan Okello.
At the back, head coach Paul Put can choose from a deep defensive roster including Rogers Torach, Toby Sibbick, Herbert Bockhorn, Hillary Mukundane, Jordan Obita, Aziizi Kayondo, Herbert Achayi, Gavin Kizito, Elio Capradossi, and Elvis Bwomono.
Veteran goalkeeper Denis Onyango headlines the goalkeeping department, returning to national duty alongside Salim Omar Magoola, Nafian Alionzi, and Joel Mutakubwa.
Uganda Cranes squad ahead of the two 2026 #FIFAWorldCup Qualifiers.
Uganda vs Mozambique and Uganda vs Somalia pic.twitter.com/qcjdrD9Bbi
— Uganda Cranes (@UgandaCranes) August 27, 2025
In total, 11 home-based players have been handed a chance to fight for places in the final squad. The team begins residential training on Sunday, 31 August 2025, at the FUFA Hotel in Kisaasi.
Uganda opens its qualifying campaign with a showdown against Mozambique on 5 September at the newly refurbished Mandela National Stadium, Namboole, a fixture that could set the tone for their World Cup dream.
