Uganda Cranes embark on preparations for CHAN 2024 with non-residential training

The Uganda Cranes team commenced the training sessions for the upcoming belated Championship of African Nations (CHAN) 2024 tournament on Monday, 23rd June 2025.

The opening session was conducted at the lake side Luzira stadium with the two coaches Morley Byekwaso and Fred Muhumuza taking the players through the paces.

Byekwaso told the media that the start has been promising and expects the tempo to raise up as the sessions step up.

“We have had our first session and it progressed well” Byekwaso revealed.

“The turn up has been overwhelming and the response by all the players is convincing. As we continue with the sessions, I expect the players’ reaction to increase” he added.

All the players who were summoned turned up as they were taken through various drills that entailed body limbering sessions, ball work and small sided games.

Vipers’ team captain Milton Karisa, one of the experienced players on this team promises a good showing in the final tournament proper.

“We have started the training and it is good. I promise to our dear fans the best. I urge them (the fans) to rally behind us at all times” Karisa remarked.

The sessions continue on Tuesday, 24th June 2025, still at Luzira prisons stadium.

Tanzania will host the official opening match of the championship on 2nd August 2025.

Kenya will play host to the final on 30th August 2025 whilst Uganda has been granted the third-place play-off match.

CHAN is exclusively reserved for players plying their trade in their domestic leagues.

Despite six previous appearances, Uganda has never progressed past the group stage an obstacle they will be determined to overcome this time on home turf in group C alongside Niger, Guinea, South Africa and Algeria.

• Group A | Nairobi, Kenya: Kenya, Morocco, Angola, DR Congo, Zambia
• Group B | Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: Tanzania, Madagascar, Mauritania, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic
• Group C | Kampala, Uganda: Uganda, Niger, Guinea, South Africa, Algeria
• Group D | Zanzibar: Senegal, *Congo, Sudan, Nigeria

Full Team (41 players):

Goalkeepers
Joel Mutakubwa (BUL FC), Hannington Ssebwalunyo (NEC FC), Crispas Kusiima (Kitara FC), Mutwalibu Mugolofa (KCCA FC) and 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 (KCCA FC), Ronald Otti (Kitara FC), Arnold Odong (SC Villa), Rogers Torach (Vipers SC) and 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) and 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), Paul Mucureezi (NEC FC), Patrick Kakande (SC Villa), and Jude Ssemugabi (Kitara FC)

*Photography: FUFA Media