Written by Omuzukulu Bilims.

Uganda Cranes head coach Paul Joseph Put has named a provisional squad of 36 players ahead of the 2024 TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN).

The announcement was made on Wednesday during a press briefing at the FUFA Complex in Mengo, Kampala.

The squad, which includes four goalkeepers, twelve defenders, ten midfielders, and ten forwards, will begin non-residential training on Friday, January 10, before entering a residential camp at Cranes Paradise Hotel in Kisasi next Monday.

Among the notable inclusions are teenagers James Bogere, Brian Ijara, and Isima Magala, who recently played pivotal roles in guiding the Uganda U17 National Team to AFCON qualification.

Coach Put emphasized the importance of giving young players opportunities at this level. “I believe these players are capable, and I wanted to give them an opportunity to train and compete at such a level. We have seen players at that age featuring for their senior team. Therefore, this is their chance to come and show their abilities,”

The coach also revealed that the initial three days of training would focus on player assessments before the squad is trimmed to 26.

“We shall use Friday, Saturday, and Sunday to assess the players and then have 26 players thereafter. However, the players that will not remain in camp will continue following our programme to make sure they are ever on alert,” he explained.

Additionally, two international friendlies are scheduled, with the first set for January 17 and the second a week later.

The 2024 CHAN tournament, which features national teams comprising only locally-based players, will take place from February 1-28, 2025, and will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.

Full Provisional Squad

Goalkeepers:

• Hannington Ssebwalunyo (NEC FC)
• Mutwalibi Mugolofa (KCCA FC)
• Joel Mutakubwa (BUL FC)
• Crispas Kusiima (Kitara FC)

Defenders:

• Gavin Kizito Mugweri (KCCA FC)
• Gideon Odongo (NEC FC)
• Moses Aliro (URA FC)
• Derrick Ndahiro (Vipers SC)
• Enock Walusimbi (URA FC)
• Arnold Odong (SC Villa)
• Rogers Torach (Vipers SC)
• Hillary Mukundane (Vipers SC)
• Walter Ochora (BUL FC)
• James Begisa Penza (URA FC)
• Nicholas Mwere (BUL FC)
• Paul Patrick Mbowa (Vipers SC)

Midfielders:

• Joel Sserunjogi (KCCA FC)
• Enock Ssebagala (NEC FC)
• Ibrahim Thembo (NEC FC)
• Emmanuel Wasswa (Express FC)
• Ronald Ssekiganda (SC Villa)
• Allan Okello (Vipers SC)
• Saidi Mayanja (KCCA FC)
• Brian Ijara (KCCA FC)
• Patrick Jonah Kakande (SC Villa)
• Isima Magala Mulala (Masaka Sunshine FC)

Forwards:

• Hakim Kiwanuka (SC Villa)
• Milton Karisa (Vipers SC)
• Denis Omedi (Kitara FC)
• Jude Ssemugabi (Kitara FC)
• Shafik Nana Kwikiriza (KCCA FC)
• Paul Mucureezi (NEC FC)
• Isaac Ogwang (Police FC)
• James Bogere (Masaka Sunshine FC)
• Sadat Happy Anaku (KCCA FC)
• Charles Lwanga (SC Villa)