Overview:
Looking ahead of the Tanzania and Madagascar clashes, Nathan George Asiimwe anticipates more game time for the national team with high hopes of being part of the AFCON 2027 qualification process and cement a permanent slot on the national team.
International Build ups:
- Friday, 5th June 2026: Uganda Cranes Vs Tanzania Taifa Stars
- Monday, 8th June 2026:Â Uganda Cranes Vs Madagascar
*Both matches in Morocco
Nathan George Asiimwe, 21, is among the 26 players summoned by the Uganda Cranes head coach Joseph Paul Put for the upcoming international build up matches against Tanzania and Madagascar come June 2026 in Morocco.
This is the second time that the Charlton Athletic player is included on the Uganda Cranes roster after the 2024 call up for the Comoros and Ghana international build-ups.
For starters, Asiimwe is comfortable at the wing back position. He commenced his youth career at Charlton Athletic in 2014.
He was signed on the senior team in 2022 featuring for 18 times before he was loan to Hartlepool United, Walsall and lately AFC Wimbledon this season.
“I like to be energetic down the flanks and help out in both boxes where possible. I know I can defend well but also support the attack with good deliveries into the box.” He spoke to the BBC during an interview in 2025.
Looking ahead of the Tanzania and Madagascar clashes, Asiimwe anticipates more game time for the national team with high hopes of being part of the AFCON 2027 qualification process and cement a permanent slot on the national team.
Other defenders summoned on the team include Germany based Herbert Bockhorn of FC Magdeburg, SC Villa duo of Raymon Barasa Mangoli and Geoffrey Lubangakene, the utility Jordan Obita (Hibernian, Scotland), Hilary Mukundane (Vipers, Uganda), Aziz Kayondo (Slovan Liberec, Czech Republic) and KCCA’s Herbert Achayi.
That means, Asiimwe will directly compete with Bockhorn and Obita for the right back position.
The established Kayondo and Achayi are the options at left back whilst Mangoli, Lubangakene, Mukundane or Obita vie for the central defense slots.
This squad also includes some new names, including local players who have shown their potential and talent this year. I want to give them a chance. I think these will be two good games (against Tanzania and Madagascar) to test where we are as a team. Qualifiers for AFCON 2027 start soon in September, October, and November, so we need to be prepared.
Joseph Paul Put, Uganda Cranes head coach
Uganda Cranes face Tanzania on June 5th before squaring up against Madagascar on June 9th 2026. Both clashes are planned to be held in Morocco.
Uganda Cranes squad:
Goalkeepers: Hannington Ssebwalunyo – NEC FC (Uganda), David Lukwago – SC Villa (Uganda), Joel Mutakubwa – Adigrat University FC (Ethiopia)Defenders: Herbert Bockhorn – FC Magdeburg (Germany), Nathan Asiimwe – Charlton Athletic FC (England), Raymon Barasa Mangoli – SC Villa (Uganda), Jordan Obita – Hibernian FC (Scotland), Geoffrey LubangaKene – SC Villa (Uganda), Hilary Mukundane – Vipers SC (Uganda), Aziz Kayondo – Slovan Liberec (Czech Republic), Herbert Achayi – KCCA FC (Uganda)
Midfielders: Joseph Seremba – NEC FC (Uganda), Bobosi Byaruhanga – Oakland Roots SC (USA), Alhassan Baba – FCSB (Romania), Travis Mutyaba – CS Sfaxien (Tunisia), Abdu Karim Watambala – Vipers SC (Uganda)
Attackers: Allan Okello – Young Africans SC (Tanzania), James Bogere – Aarhus AGF (Denmark), Rogers Mato – Hearts FC (Scotland), Sammy Ssebadduka – KCCA FC (Uganda), Hassan Mubiru – SC Villa (Uganda), Steven Mukwala – Al-Nasr SC (Libya), Frank Ssebufu – SC Villa (Uganda), Allan Oyirwoth – New England Revolution FC (USA), Richard Basangwa – NEC FC (Uganda), Noble Okello – Indy Eleven FC (USA), Arafat Usama Kiza – Vipers SC (Uganda) and Ivan Ahimbisibwe – KCCA FC (Uganda).
