Uganda Names 28-Man Squad for AFCON 2027 Qualifiers

Uganda head coach Paul Put has gone big for a crucial international window, naming a 28-man squad that will carry the Cranes through the start of their AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign and a double-header of friendlies.

Uganda travel to Tunisia on September 24, then return home to host Libya on September 29 in Group action for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. Once that dust settles, DR Congo await in two friendlies on October 2 and 5. Four games in 16 days. No hiding places.

Onyango back to anchor the Cranes

The headline name is unmistakable. Denis Onyango, the veteran goalkeeper from Mamelodi Sundowns, is back to marshal the backline. He is joined in the goalkeeping department by David Lukwago of SC Villa and NEC FC’s Hannington Ssebwalunyo, giving Put a blend of vast experience and local sharpness between the posts.

Behind them, the defensive unit has a distinctly international flavour. Toby Sibbick (Burton Albion) and Nathan Asiimwe (Salford City) bring English league steel, while Herbert Bockhorn (FC Magdeburg) adds German know-how. On the continent, Aziz Kayondo (Slovan Liberec), Rogers Torach (CS Constantine) and Gavin Kizito (Nairobi United) all make the cut, with local mainstays Herbert Achayi (KCCA FC), Geofrey Lubanga Kene (SC Villa) and Hillary Mukundane (Vipers SC) completing the list.

Midfield balance and attacking options

Put’s midfield options are compact but carefully chosen. Baba Alhassan (Mardin 1996 Spor) and Noble Okello (Lexington SC) offer energy and range, while Kenneth Semakula (Al Ittihad Alexandria) brings a more measured presence. Allan Oyirwoth (Dunfermline FC) and Joseph Seremba (Nairobi United) round off a group tasked with knitting together a side that must cope with Tunisia away and Libya at home in quick succession.

Up front, the coach has gone for variety. James Bogere (AGF), Travis Mutyaba (CS Sfaxien), Denis Omedi (Gor Mahia) and Rogers Mato (Hearts) headline a forward line that mixes emerging talent with proven goal threats. Hassan Mubiru (Azam), Sadam Masereka (Colorado Springs Switchbacks), Steven Mukwala (Al Nasr), Richard Basangwa (NEC FC) and Frank Ssebufu (SC Villa) all make the squad as well.

One attacker was listed only by his club, AS FAR of Morocco, in the FUFA announcement, with no name attached in the official communication.

Big names missing, but door stays open

The squad also tells a story of who is not there. Put confirmed that Jordan Obita and Elio Capradossi miss out through injury. Captain Khalid Aucho is absent too, along with Salim Jamal, Uche Ikpeazu, John Paul Dembe, Bobosi Byaruhanga and Jude Ssemugabi.

The Belgian coach pointed to a mix of reasons: some players are currently without clubs, others have just completed moves and lack minutes, and a number are only now emerging from long-term injuries and are not yet at full match fitness.

Put stressed he is satisfied with the form, fitness and commitment of those selected, and made it clear the door remains open. Once the absentees regain rhythm and condition, they can fight their way back into the national setup.

For now, though, this 28-man group will carry Uganda through a demanding window from September 21 to October 6. Tunisia away, Libya at home, DR Congo twice. It is an early test of whether Put’s new-look Cranes can handle the weight of a campaign that leads all the way to AFCON 2027.