Mutyagaba Ready to Write a New Chapter as Baby Cricket Cranes Head to Kigali

New Baby Cricket Cranes Head Coach Grace Mutyagaba is ready to write a new chapter in Uganda’s youth cricket history as the team departs for Kigali, Rwanda, for the ICC U-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup Africa Division 2 Qualifier.

Mutyagaba will lead a talented squad with one clear objective, guiding Uganda back to Africa Division One and keeping alive the dream of a fourth ICC U-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup appearance.

Eyes on the Goal: Head Coach Grace Mutyagaba believes the Baby Cricket Cranes have the preparation and determination needed to achieve their qualification objective in Kigali

Speaking at the team’s flag-off ceremony at Lugogo Cricket Oval, the head coach expressed confidence in his players and the work done during camp.

I stand before you with confidence, belief and immense pride in this group of young men. We have prepared well and travel as one family with a common purpose to compete, to grow and to make Uganda proud.

Every player has earned the right to wear the national colours through hard work, discipline and resilience.

Mutyagaba said the team’s preparations have focused on improving key areas, particularly against spin bowling, while strengthening batting and bowling partnerships.

The boys have embraced the challenge with great enthusiasm. We’ve worked on the areas that needed improvement and ensured the players understand what is at stake. Our goal is clear to earn promotion back to Division One.

He also praised the quality of the squad and the support received during preparations.

We have selected a talented 14-man squad, along with two reserves, after a rigorous process. The players have bonded well, and with the support of Cricket Uganda and our stakeholders, we believe this team has what it takes to secure promotion back to Division One.

Uganda has previously qualified for the ICC U-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup on three occasions—in 2004, 2006 and 2022. The Baby Cricket Cranes recorded their best-ever finish at the 2022 tournament in the West Indies after defeating Scotland in the 13th-place playoff.

The team has also lifted the ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup Africa Qualifier title twice, in 2009 and 2021, while finishing runners-up on four occasions.

This year’s Africa Division 2 Qualifier will feature six nations hosts Rwanda, Uganda, Nigeria, Mozambique, Ghana and Sierra Leone all competing for qualification to the Africa Division One Qualifier, the final step towards the 2028 ICC U-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup in Bangladesh.

Matches will be played at Gahanga Main Oval, Gahanga Oval B and the IPRC Cricket Oval in Kigali.

Uganda begin their campaign against Nigeria on August 9 before facing Mozambique on August 10, Ghana on August 12, Sierra Leone on August 13 and hosts Rwanda on August 15.

The Baby Cricket Cranes head to Kigali carrying the hopes of a cricket-loving nation and the ambition of restoring Uganda’s place among Africa’s leading youth cricket nations.

Promotion to Division One is the immediate target. A fourth U-19 World Cup appearance remains the ultimate dream.