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Cranes coach Morley Byekwaso has named the Cranes final squad, unveiling the 25-man squad for the upcoming TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024, with co-hosting duties shared between Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania.
‘Co-coach’ Morley Byekwaso confirmed the final list following a press briefing at the FUFA Complex in Mengo. Uganda are set to make their seventh appearance in the CHAN finals, and with home advantage, the team hopes to break the pattern of group-stage exits of past editions.
After two preparatory fixtures in the CECAFA 3-Nations tournament in Arusha, against Tanzania and Senegal, where Uganda fell to Tanzania 1-0 before a 2-1 triumph over Senegal, Byekwaso expressed confidence in Uganda’s readiness, stating:
“We are set and ready for the tournament. The selected players are in perfect shape to make sure we perform well and achieve our prime target of going beyond the group stage.” He said.
Former KCCA FC and now Vipers starman Allan Okello will captain the team, supported by Joel Mutakubwa and Vipers teammate and defender Rogers Ochaki Torach, offering experience and stability in both defense and goalkeeping.
Final Squad Composition
The squad includes:
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Goalkeepers: Denis Kiggundu (Vipers SC), Joel Mutakubwa (BUL FC), Chrispas Kusiima (Kitara FC)
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Defenders: Arnold Odong (SC Villa), Nicholas Mwere (BUL FC), Gideon Odongo (NEC FC), Herbert Achai (KCCA FC), Rogers Torach (Vipers SC), Lazaro Muhindo (KCCA FC), Hilary Mukundane (Vipers SC), Kizito Gavin (KCCA FC)
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Midfielders: Joseph Youngman Marvin (Vipers SC), Elvis Ngonde (SC Villa), Patrick Jonah Kakande (SC Villa), Allan Okello (Vipers SC), Joel Sserunjogi (KCCA FC), Enock Ssebagala (Vipers SC), Abdu Karim Watambala (Vipers SC)
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Forwards: Jude Ssemugabi (Kitara FC), Ivan Ahimbisibwe (KCCA FC), Arafat Kiza Usama (KCCA FC), Yunus Junior Sentamu (Vipers SC), Reagan Mpande (SC Villa), Emmanuel Anyama (KCCA FC), Shafik Nana Kwikiriza (KCCA FC).
Notable eliminations from the Cranes Final Squad include BUL FC’s playmaker, Jerome Kirya, who was dropped on the last day.
Group Stage Fixtures
Drawn into Group C, Uganda will face a challenging line-up:
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Algeria (4 August, Mandela National Stadium)
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Guinea (8 August)
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Niger (13 August)
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South Africa (17 August)
with each match representing a make-or-break bid for progression to the knockout rounds.
While Uganda has never advanced past the group phase in their previous six CHAN appearances, the combination of domestic talent, home crowd support, and strengthened tactical preparation positions them as serious contenders for their deepest run yet. Fans anticipate standout performances from veterans like Okello and hungry young forwards like Jude Ssemugabi, who impressed in recent AFCON qualifying fixtures.
