Uganda Cranes head coach Paul Put has unveiled a 26-man provisional squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Mozambique and Guinea.
The team, set to face Mozambique on March 20 in Egypt and Guinea on March 25 at home, includes a mix of local and foreign-based players.
However, notable absentees from the squad are former Vipers SC midfielder Bobosi Byaruhanga and defender Elio Capradossi.
Key Absentees
Bobosi Byaruhanga, who recently transferred to Oakland Roots SC from Austin FC, and Elio Capradossi, currently playing for Italian Serie B club AC Cittadella, were left out of the squad.
Their exclusion has raised eyebrows, but Put’s focus remains on the players available for selection.
Squad Preparation
The local-based players will depart for Egypt on March 16, while foreign-based players will join the team on March 18 for training.
“We have players who are playing outside the country on the 16th March; they can only travel on the 17th March. On the 18th March, they can be in training,” Put explained.
Building on Past Success
Put is banking on the Cranes’ previous performances, which secured their place in the AFCON tournament in Morocco, to inspire the team.
“We have to focus on our mentality, and it’s what we have been doing so far. We should always be ready to play the best teams in Africa,” he said.
Related: Uganda Cranes AFCON 2025 Fixtures
Current Standings
Uganda currently sits in 5th place in Group G with six points from four matches—two wins and two losses. They trail group leaders Algeria, who have nine points.
The top team from each of the nine groups in the African qualifiers will secure a spot in the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the USA.
Provisional Squad
Here’s the list of players summoned for the qualifiers:
Goalkeepers:
- Watenga Isma (Golden Arrows FC, South Africa)
- Alionzi Nafian (Defence Forces FC, Ethiopia)
- Mutakubwa Joel (BUL FC, Uganda)
Defenders:
- Bwomono Elvis (St. Mirren FC, Scotland)
- Kizito Gavin (KCCA FC, Uganda)
- Mugabi Bevis (Anorthosis Famagusta FC, Cyprus)
- Awany Timothy (FC Ashdod, Israel)
- Sibbick Toby (Wigan Athletic FC, England)
- Torach Rogers (Vipers SC, Uganda)
- Kayondo Abdu Aziizi (FC Slovan Liberec, Czech Republic)
- Muleme Isaac (FK Viktoria Zizkov, Czech Republic)
Midfielders:
- Ssekiganda Ronald (SC Villa, Uganda)
- Semakula Kenneth (Club Africaine, Tunisia)
- Aucho Khalid (Young Africans SC, Tanzania)
- Ssebagala Enock (NEC FC, Uganda)
- Watambala Abdu Karim (Vipers SC, Uganda)
- Allan Okello (Vipers SC, Uganda)
- Mutyba Travis (Girondins Bordeaux, France)
Forwards:
- Omedi Denis (APR FC, Rwanda)
- Kiwanuka Hakim (APR FC, Rwanda)
- Ssemugabi Jude (Kitara FC, Uganda)
- Mato Rogers (FK Vardar, North Macedonia)
- Mukwala Steven (Simba FC, Tanzania)
- Muhammad Shaban (Al Anwar Al Abyar SC, Libya)
- Kabuye Calvin (Mjaliby AIF, Sweden)
- Kakande Patrick (SC Villa, Uganda)
What’s at Stake?
The upcoming matches are crucial for Uganda’s World Cup qualification hopes. With only the group winners advancing, the Cranes must secure maximum points to keep their dreams alive.
