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Uganda U20 head coach Laryea Kingston has named a 56-player provisional squad for the 2026 AFCON U20 CECAFA Zonal Qualifiers, which will be held in Tanzania from September 16 to 30.
The Hippos will begin preparations on Monday, August 24, with all selected players expected to report to FUFA House at 7:00am before proceeding to the FUFA Technical Centre in Njeru.
Kingston’s squad features a blend of players from Uganda Premier League clubs, schools, academies, universities and clubs abroad as he assesses his options ahead of the regional tournament.
Among the players included are NEC FC’s Gilbert Mazige and Hakim Wandera, BUL FC duo Adrian Isabirye and Richard Okello, as well as Vipers SC players Denis Mugerwa, Munogera Amour, Abubakali Walusimbi, Marvin Kabiito and Owen Mukisa.
KCCA FC is represented by Lazaro Bwambale, Hakim Kawuki and Brain Jjara, while SC Villa has several players on the list, including Tonny Ssendi Kiyaga, Raymond Baraza Mangoli, Gilbert Ogernwrot and John Assimwe.
The provisional squad also contains several players based outside Uganda. These include Oliver Arthur Scott Fisher of Patrick Thistle, Steven Oyirwoth of UNC Men’s Soccer in the United States, Moses Opira of Fulham Academy, Hamza Sengooba of AGF in Denmark, Hugo Bull of Crystal Palace, Joseph D. Ssenyondwa of AC Amager, Mimosa Yashir of the University of California, Mansur Bashir of Gardner-Webb Men’s Soccer, Jovan Kasuja of Brentford and Johnson Kabagambe of Riga FC.
Kingston has also selected a number of promising youngsters from schools and youth development programmes, including players from St Mary’s Kitende, AMUS College, Bukedea Comprehensive School and Edgars Youth Programme.
The wide selection gives the coaching staff an opportunity to assess a large pool of talent before settling on the final group that will travel to Tanzania.
Kingston will be assisted by goalkeeper coach Steven Billy Kiggundu, fitness coach Dennis Kizito and team manager and safeguarding officer Brian Umony.
The support staff also includes team doctor Ivan Kulika, kits officer Frank Bumpenje and media officer Andrew Talenga.
The CECAFA U20 qualifiers will provide Uganda with a pathway towards the 2027 Africa U20 Cup of Nations, with the Hippos looking to make another strong showing at regional level.
The tournament will take place in Tanzania from September 16 to 30, 2026.
Uganda Hippos provisional squad: Waibi Edirisa (Buddo SS), Gilbert Mazige (NEC FC), Adrian Isabirye (BUL FC), Denis Mugerwa (Vipers SC), Igama Allan Batali (Lugazi FC), Oliver Arthur Scott Fisher (Patrick Thistle FC), Ssendi Kiyaga Tonny (SC Villa), Torach Elvis (Masaka Sunshine), Wandera Hakim (NEC FC), Ntege Abdul Lukenge (Maroons FC), Lazaro Bwambale (KCCA FC), Kawuki Hakim (KCCA FC), Ocatre Collins (St Mary’s Kitende), Jovan Nsereko (NEC FC JT), Steven Oyirwoth (UNC Men’s Soccer, USA), Mangoli Raymond Baraza (SC Villa), Munogera Amour (Vipers SC), Isabirye Reagan (Entebbe UPPC FC), Moses Opira (Fulham Academy), Mukisa Marcus Jonathan (Bukedea Comprehensive School), Gilbert Ogernwrot (SC Villa), Mutamba Meddy Delight (Busoga United FC), Hamza Sengooba (AGF, Denmark), Jjara Brain (KCCA FC), Ssembusi Patrick (AMUS College School), Hugo Bull (Crystal Palace FC), Joseph D. Ssenyondwa (AC Amager), Male Anthony (UCU), Isma Magala (Masaka Sunshine), Abubakali Walusimbi (Vipers SC), Derrick Ssozi (Bukedea Comprehensive), Muhanguzi Fred Junior (URA FC JT), Kabiito Marvin (Vipers SC), Kyakuwa Ashiraf (Vipers SC JT), Owino Brian (Vipers SC JT), Muhoozi Henry (AMUS College), Mimosa Yashir (University of California, USA), Ocen Genesis Odiya (NK Tabor Sezana), John Assimwe (SC Villa), Yiga Steven (St Mary’s Kitende), Ssebumpeje Yusuf (Prosper SA), Opakwoth Elvis (St Mary’s Kitende), Okello Richard (BUL FC), Mansur Bashir (Gardner-Webb Men’s Soccer), Nkoola Arafat (Vipers SC), Kasadha Mathias (AMUS College School FC), Ssekitto Kakande Davis (Maroons FC), Magogo Shakur Baggio (Namilyango College School), Owen Mukisa (Vipers SC), Wanyama Simon (Bukedea Comprehensive), Jovan Kasuja (Brentford FC), Odongo Elvis (URA FC), Asiimwe Habert Tinyefunza (Express FC), Ampurira Jethro (Edgars Youth Programme) and Johnson Kabagambe (Riga FC).
