The TotalEnergies Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 is here with Uganda co-hosting with Tanzania and Kenya.
Morley Byekwaso and Fred Muhumuza tasked with handling the side did unveil their 25-man squad for the tournament.
In this article, Ismael Kiyonga gives a brief profile of each of the stars representing Uganda in the historic Pamoja tournament.
Goalkeepers
Denis Kiggundu
Date of Birth: May 15, 2000 | Club: Vipers SC | Shirt No. 1
The shot stopper made the CHAN squad cut following his impressive shows with Vipers last season featuring in all Uganda Cup matches including the final in which his side beat KCCA.
Joel Mutakubwa
Date of Birth: July 17, 1995 | Club: BUL FC | Shirt No. 18
One of the most experienced members of the squad having been at the tournament twice (2020 & 2022) before. Mutakubwa will arguably be the first-choice custodian for the tournament and named one of the captains of the team. He has previously featured for Kyetume and Express FC as well.
Chrispas Kusiima
Date of Birth: April 10, 1993 | Club: URA SC | Shirt No. 19
Kusiima is a talented custodian whose rise has been steady fast. After spending two seasons at Kitara where he helped the team win the Uganda Cup, he has re-joined URA during the current transfer window.
Besides Kitara and URA, Kusiima has kept goal for defunct Soana/Tooro United and Express FC.
Defenders
Lazaro Bwambale
Date of Birth: October 25, 2007 | Club: KCCA | Shirt No. 15
The youngest member of the squad broke on the scene after a good individual season with Kitara which attracted KCCA interest. The right back will compete with new club mate Gavin Kizito for a starting position on the team.
Gavin Kizito Mugweri
Date of Birth: January 14, 2002 | Club: KCCA | Shirt No. 22
At his young age, Kizito is one of the most experienced members on the team with several national team caps. He captained Uganda U20 to the final in Mauritania in the youth tournament. Solid, disciplined and a leader who can ably play both right back and centre back.
Herbert Achai
Date of Birth: August 8, 1999 | Club: KCCA | Shirt No. 5
Despite his immense talent, this is Achai’s first ever national team tournament and got the call after a good season with Express FC.
A product of KCCA junior side, the left back is back at Lugogo and is the most experienced left back on the Uganda Cranes team at the moment.
Arnold Odong
Date of Birth: May 25, 1999 | Club: SC Villa | Shirt No. 2
The SC Villa captain will lead from the centre back. A graduate from Makerere University Business School, this will be the first ever tournament for the highly rated defender.
Nicholas Mwere
Date of Birth: March 13, 2001 | Club: BUL FC | Shirt No. 3
The big lad will be one of the choices at both left and centre back. Mwere is technically gifted with a hard shot and his size gives him an advantage in aerial duels.
Hilary Mukundane
Date of Birth: December 9, 2001 | Club: Vipers SC | Shirt No. 16
Mukundane returns to the CHAN tournament for another edition after being part of the team in 2022 as well.
On of the most experienced defenders on the team and will probably be Morley Byekwaso’s leader at the heart of defence. Previously played for Mbarara City where he was captain. Despite his size, he is a real threat in either box.
Gideon Odong
Date of Birth: November 20, 1999 | Club: NEC FC | Shirt No. 4
The left back had a good season with NEC and deserved his chance on the team.
This will be his maiden CHAN appearance but has to compete with Achai and Mwere for a starting position.
Rogers Torach
Date of Birth: June 23, 2003 | Club: Vipers SC | Shirt No. 13
The young centre back makes his debut at CHAN too but has previously represented Uganda at youth continental tournaments.
He is one of the three captains for Byekwaso & Muhumuza’s team.
Midfielders
Marvin Joseph Youngman
Date of Birth: May 5, 1998 | Club: Vipers SC | Shirt No. 6
The box-to-box midfielder will play at his CHAN tournament having been part of the team in 2022 in Algeria.
Allan Okello
Date of Birth: July 4, 2000 | Club: Vipers SC | Shirt No. 21
The team’s wonderkid is also the captain. Okello is the creative force on the team and is a member of the senior national team with a couple of caps already to his name.
A product of the KCCA academy, Okello has also played in Algeria with AC Paradou.
Karim Watambala
Date of Birth: March 3, 2000 | Club: Vipers SC | Shirt No. 25
Despite his young age, this will be Watambala’s third CHAN tournament after making the team for the last two editions.
This makes him one of the most experienced members of the team at just 25 years.
Joel Sserunjogi
Date of Birth: June 16, 2002 | Club: KCCA | Shirt No. 23
Arguably the most intelligent central defensive midfielder (CDM) on the team. Sserunjogi makes the team tick and despite this being his maiden tournament, he will be a key cog on the team.
Enock Ssebagala
Date of Birth: July 28, 2000 | Club: Vipers SC | Shirt No. 24
Ssebagala had a very good campaign with NEC which attracted interest from Vipers and signed him for reported 100 million shillings.
Creative, imaginative and scores some odd goals plus he is a joy to watch.
Elvis Ngonde
Date of Birth: January 10, 2002 | Club: SC Villa | Shirt No. 8
The left side central midfielder plays with a calm demeanor and intelligence.
Ngonde is unique with his range of passing and shooting but will have to fight for a place on the starting team with Youngman, Sserunjogi and Watambala.
Forwards
Yunus Junior Sentamu
Date of Birth: August 13, 1994 | Club: Vipers SC | Shirt No. 12
Sentamu made his mark at the 2013 CHAN tournament in South Africa where he scored three goals.
He is back at the same tournament as the most experienced and technically gifted forward with the ability to play across the entire forward line.
Patrick Jonah Kakande
Date of Birth: April 25, 2003 | Club: SC Villa | Shirt 10
A purposeful entertainer, dribbler and one with a big heart. The SC Villa play maker will don the no. 10 and be tasked with creativity from the wings.
This will be the maiden tournament for Kakande who played for the nation at the All-Africa Games in Ghana.
Emmanuel Anyama
Date of Birth: July 14, 1998 | Club: KCCA | Shirt No. 17
The big centre forward made the cut after impressing in the second round of the season scoring 8 goals in the last six matches.
A debutant at 27 years, Anyama has a chance to stake a claim on the national team should he impress just like he has done in his debut premier league campaign.
Shafik Nana Kwikiriza
Date of Birth: March 3, 2004 | Club: KCCA | Shirt No. 20
The talented fleet left footed winger had a very good first half of the season but faded in the second round.
The youngster will have a chance to show what he has in store if given opportunity.
Ivan Ahimbisibwe
Date of Birth: November 23, 1995 | Club: KCCA | Shirt No. 9
The centre forward is arguably the most natural centre forward of the lot alongside Anyama.
He has previously played for Synergy, UPDF and URA where he scored goals that attracted attention of KCCA which signed him this window.
Reagan Mpande
Date of Birth: May 7, 2000 | Club: SC Villa | Shirt No. 14
Mpande is lightening quick on the wings and can beat his marker with pace. Shocking inclusion on the team but has the ability to redeem self.
Jude Ssemugabi
Date of Birth: March 3, 1997 | Club: Kitara | Shirt No. 7
Besides Sentamu, Ssemugabi is the most experienced of the forwards on the team as he is also on the senior national team.
Ssemugabi ought to use this tournament to attract suitors as reports suggest he is out of contract at Kitara.
Usama Kizza Arafat
Date of Birth: June 27, 2004 | Club: KCCA | Shirt No. 11
Despite missing large parts of the first half of the season, Usama fired on all cylinders in the second round of last season scoring vital goals for KCCA as they reached the Uganda Cup final.
He is unique in his own way loving to cut inside from the right wing. Creative and scores lots of goals.