Uganda’s ambitious quest to finally break past the group stage at the African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 has officially begun, with the country’s football federation unveiling a 41-man provisional squad for the upcoming tournament.

As co-hosts for the first time alongside Kenya and Tanzania, the Cranes are determined to leverage home advantage when the championship kicks off on August 2nd.

Head coaches Fred Muhumuza and Morley Byekwaso will lead the charge, with all selected players strictly based in the Uganda Premier League, adhering to the tournament’s regulations.

The squad features prominent stars from the domestic league, with the surprising inclusion of James Bogere from regional league outfit Masaka Sunshine FC.

Non-residential training has already commenced, with daily sessions scheduled at 9 AM, as the technical team works diligently to mold the group into a formidable unit ahead of their opening match.

Uganda finds itself in what has been described as one of CHAN’s toughest draws, placed in Group C alongside continental powerhouses Algeria, South Africa, Guinea, and Niger.

Their first test will be against Algeria on August 4th, a highly anticipated clash set to take place at the newly refurbished Namboole Stadium.

The stadium has undergone significant upgrades, including a hybrid turf and improved lighting, ready to host top-tier matches.

Despite the daunting fixture list, optimism abounds within the Cranes camp. The team’s past inability to progress beyond the group stage in previous CHAN editions serves as a powerful motivating factor, especially with thousands of passionate Ugandan fans expected to fill the stadium and rally behind them on home soil.

This year’s CHAN presents a unique opportunity for the Cranes to achieve a historic breakthrough, not just in terms of results, but also in laying a strong foundation for the continued development of local football and enhancing Uganda’s future competitiveness on the continental stage.

Uganda Cranes Provisional Squad for CHAN 2024:

Goalkeepers: Joel Mutakubwa (BUL FC), Hannington Ssebwalunyo (NEC FC), Crispas Kusiima (Kitara FC), Mutwalibu Mugolofa (KCCA FC), Denis Kiggundu (Vipers SC)

Defenders: Gavin Kizito (KCCA FC), Lazaro Bwambale (Kitara FC), James Begisa (URA FC), David Owori (SC Villa), Herbert Achayi (Express FC), Gideon Odongo (NEC FC), Enock Walusimbi (URA FC), Nicholas Mwere (BUL FC), Jacob Okao (NEC FC), Ronald Otti (Kitara FC), Arnold Odong (SC Villa), Rogers Torach (Vipers SC), Hilary Mukundane (Vipers SC)

Midfielders: Marvin Youngman (Vipers SC), Joel Sserunjogi (KCCA FC), Emmanuel Wasswa (Express FC), Elvis Ngondwe (SC Villa), Reagan Mpande (SC Villa), Saidi Mayanja (KCCA FC), Ronald Ssekiganda (Unattached), Abdul Karim Watambala (Vipers SC), Enock Ssebagala (NEC FC), Jerome Kirya (BUL FC), Allan Okello (Vipers SC), Aslam Ssemakula (SC Villa)

Forwards: Milton Karisa (Vipers SC), Shafik Nana Kwikiriza (KCCA FC), Kiza Arafat (KCCA FC), Emmanuel Anyama (KCCA FC), Yunus Sentamu (Vipers SC), Charles Lwanga (SC Villa), Ivan Ahimbisibwe (URA FC), Baden Ogama (Maroons FC), James Bogere (Masaka Sunshine FC), Patrick Kakande (SC Villa), Jude Ssemugabi (Kitara FC)

ALSO READ: Why Nyayo Stadium still awaits handover as CHAN preparations intensify