![]() | ||||
Nickname(s) | The Cranes | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Association | Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) | |||
Confederation | CAF (Africa) | |||
Sub-confederation | CECAFA (East & Central Africa) | |||
Head coach | Paul Put | |||
Captain | Khalid Aucho | |||
Most caps | Godfrey Walusimbi (105) | |||
Top scorer | Emmanuel Okwi (28) | |||
Home stadium | Mandela National Stadium | |||
FIFA code | UGA | |||
| ||||
FIFA ranking | ||||
Current | 82 ![]() | |||
Highest | 62 (January 2016) | |||
Lowest | 152 (July 2002) | |||
First international | ||||
![]() ![]() (Nairobi, Kenya; 1 May 1926) | ||||
Biggest win | ||||
![]() ![]() (Uganda; 14 December 1932) | ||||
Biggest defeat | ||||
![]() ![]() (Alexandria, Egypt; 30 July 1995) ![]() ![]() (Tunis, Tunisia; 28 February 1999) | ||||
Africa Cup of Nations | ||||
Appearances | 8 (first in 1962 ) | |||
Best result | Runners-up (1978) | |||
African Nations Championship | ||||
Appearances | 6 (first in 2011 ) | |||
Best result | Group stage (2011, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022) | |||
COSAFA Cup | ||||
Appearances | 1 (first in 2019 ) | |||
Best result | Quarter-finals (2019) | |||
CECAFA Cup | ||||
Appearances | 38 (first in 1973 ) | |||
Best result | Champions (1973, 1976, 1977, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1996, 2000, 2003, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019) | |||
Website | fufa.co.ug |
The Uganda national football team, also known as The Uganda Cranes, represents Uganda in international football and is controlled by the Federation of Uganda Football Associations.
The Uganda Cranes made their debut on 1 May 1926 against Kenya drawing 1–1. In 1962, they qualified for their Africa Cup of Nations debut in the third edition of the tournament, which included only 4 teams. In the semi-finals, the Cranes were defeated and eliminated by United Arab Republic (2–1), and then lost the third place match against Tunisia (3–0).
The Cranes returned to the Africa Cup of Nations in 1974, where they were eliminated in the first round following 2 defeats against Egypt and Zambia and a draw against Ivory Coast. In 1976, they were eliminated in the first round, being defeated by Ethiopia, Egypt and Guinea.
In the 1978 Africa Cup of Nations, the Cranes finished second in the group stages defeating the Republic of Congo (3–1) and Morocco (3–0) and lost 3–1 to Tunisia. In the semi-finals they eliminated Nigeria (2–1), and in the finals they were defeated by Ghana (2–0).
In 2017 the Cranes qualified for the African Cup of Nations again after 39 years. They finished the tournament in the first round after two consecutive 1–0 losses to Ghana and Egypt and a 1–1 draw against Mali.
In the qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup, the Cranes progressed to the second round with a 4–0 aggregate win against Togo, and were drawn into a group with Egypt, Ghana and the Republic of Congo. They finished the group with 2 0–0 draws against Ghana, a win and a draw against the Republic of Congo and a victory against Egypt followed by a defeat at the home of the Pharaohs. The 9 points won were not enough for Uganda to qualify against the 13 of the Egyptians who finished first in the standings.
In the qualifiers for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, the Cranes cruised through qualifiers against Tanzania, Cape Verde and Lesotho. In the competition proper, a 2–0 victory against DR Congo meant that the Uganda Cranes had won their first match in the competition for 41 years. In the other 2 games of the group Uganda obtained a draw against Zimbabwe (1–1) and a defeat against the hosts Egypt (2–0) qualifying in second place, to be eliminated in the round of 16 by Senegal (1–0). They qualified for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after South Sudan beat Congo 3–2 on November 14, 2024.
The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.
Win Draw Loss Fixture
11 October AFCON qualification | Uganda ![]() | 1–0 | ![]() | Kampala, Uganda |
19:00 UTC+3 |
| Report | Stadium: Mandela National Stadium Attendance: 38,000 Referee: Kalilou Ibrahim Traoré (Ivory Coast) |
15 October AFCON qualification | South Sudan ![]() | 1–2 | ![]() | Juba, South Sudan |
15:00 UTC+2 |
| Report | Stadium: Juba Stadium Referee: Ahmed Al Ghandour (Egypt) |
15 November AFCON qualification | Uganda ![]() | 0–2 | ![]() | Kampala, Uganda |
15:00 UTC+3 | Report |
| Stadium: Mandela National Stadium Attendance: 38,000 Referee: Alhadi Allaou Mahamat (Chad) |
19 November AFCON qualification | Congo ![]() | 0–1 | ![]() | Brazzaville, Congo |
13:00 UTC+1 | Report |
| Stadium: Stade Alphonse Massemba-Débat Referee: Mohamed Maarouf Eid Mansour (Egypt) |
20 March 2026 World Cup qualification | Mozambique ![]() | 3–1 | ![]() | Cairo, Egypt |
16:00 UTC+3 | Report |
| Stadium: Cairo International Stadium Attendance: 100 Referee: Pierre Ghislain Atcho (Gabon) |
25 March 2026 World Cup qualification | Uganda ![]() | 1–0 | ![]() | Kampala, Uganda |
19:00 UTC+3 | Report | Stadium: Mandela National Stadium Attendance: 25,000 |
9 June Friendly | Uganda ![]() | 1–1 | ![]() | Marrakech, Morocco |
16:00 UTC+1 |
| Report | Stadium: Stade de Marrakech |
5 September 2026 World Cup qualification | Uganda ![]() | 4–0 | ![]() | Kampala, Uganda |
19:00 UTC+3 | Report | Stadium: Mandela National Stadium Referee: Kalilou Ibrahim Traoré (Ivory Coast) |
8 September 2026 World Cup qualification | Uganda ![]() | 2-0 | ![]() | Kampala, Uganda |
19:00 UTC+3 | Report | Stadium: Mandela National Stadium Referee: Samuel Uwikunda (Rwanda) |
October 2026 World Cup qualification | Botswana ![]() | v | ![]() | Francistown, Botswana |
--:-- UTC+2 | Stadium: Obed Itani Chilume Stadium |
October 2026 World Cup qualification | Algeria ![]() | v | ![]() | |
--:-- UTC+2 |
23 December 2025 AFCON GS | Tunisia ![]() | v | ![]() | Rabat, Morocco |
15:30 UTC+1 | Stadium: Prince Moulay Abdellah Olympic Annex Stadium |
27 December 2025 AFCON GS | Uganda ![]() | v | ![]() | Rabat, Morocco |
18:00 UTC+1 | Stadium: Al Barid Stadium |
30 December 2025 AFCON GS | Uganda ![]() | v | ![]() | Fez, Morocco |
18:00 UTC+1 | Stadium: Fez Stadium |
Position | Staff |
---|---|
Head coach | ![]() |
Assistant coach | ![]() |
Performance manager | ![]() |
Goalkeeper coach | ![]() |
Physical coach | ![]() |
Physiotherapist & Fitness coach | ![]() |
Video analyst | ![]() |
Team Doctor | ![]() |
The following players were called up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification – CAF Group G matches against Botswana and Algeria on 9 and 14 October 2025. [5]
Caps and goals are correct as of 8 September 2025, after the match against Somalia.
The following players have been called up in the last 12 months.
Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GK | Hannington Sebwalunyo | 28 May 1989 | 0 | 0 | ![]() | v. ![]() |
GK | Joel Mutakubwa | 17 July 1994 | 8 | 0 | ![]() | v. ![]() |
GK | Ismail Watenga | 15 May 1995 | 38 | 0 | ![]() | v. ![]() |
GK | Charles Lukwago | 11 December 1993 | 24 | 0 | ![]() | v. ![]() |
GK | Mutwalibi Mugolofa | 2 November 2000 | 0 | 0 | ![]() | v. ![]() |
DF | Elvis Bwomono | 29 November 1998 | 13 | 0 | ![]() | v. ![]() |
DF | Arnold Odong | 2 March 1999 | 0 | 0 | ![]() | v. ![]() |
DF | Isaac Muleme | 10 October 1992 | 53 | 0 | ![]() | v. ![]() |
DF | Nicholas Wadada | 27 July 1994 | 63 | 1 | ![]() | v. ![]() |
DF | Timothy Awany | 6 August 1996 | 45 | 0 | ![]() | v. ![]() |
DF | Bevis Mugabi | 1 May 1995 | 26 | 1 | ![]() | v. ![]() |
DF | Halid Lwaliwa | 19 August 1998 | 38 | 1 | ![]() | v. ![]() |
DF | Geoffrey Wasswa | 23 August 1996 | 3 | 0 | ![]() | v. ![]() |
DF | Nicholas Mwere | 13 March 2001 | 1 | 0 | ![]() | v. ![]() |
MF | Karim Watambala | 3 March 2000 | 18 | 0 | ![]() | v. ![]() |
MF | Taddeo Lwanga | 21 May 1994 | 27 | 1 | ![]() | v. ![]() |
MF | Saidi Mayanja | 12 August 2003 | 0 | 0 | ![]() | v. ![]() |
FW | Ivan Ahimbisibwe | 23 November 1995 | 2 | 0 | ![]() | v. ![]() |
FW | Shafik Nana Kwikiriza | 3 March 2004 | 1 | 0 | ![]() | v. ![]() |
FW | Arafati Usama | 27 June 1998 | 4 | 0 | ![]() | v. ![]() |
FW | Muhammad Shaban | 11 January 1998 | 28 | 3 | ![]() | v. ![]() |
FW | Patrick Kakande | 25 April 2003 | 5 | 0 | ![]() | v. ![]() |
FW | Hakim Kiwanuka | 11 September 2000 | 6 | 1 | ![]() | v. ![]() |
FW | Calvin Kabuye | 28 March 2003 | 1 | 0 | ![]() | v. ![]() |
FW | Derrick Nsibambi | 19 June 1994 | 26 | 7 | ![]() | v. ![]() |
FW | John Paul Dembe | 3 July 2005 | 0 | 0 | ![]() | v. ![]() |
Rank | Player | Caps | Goals | Career |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Godfrey Walusimbi | 105 | 3 | 2009–2019 |
2 | Emmanuel Okwi | 95 | 28 | 2009–2023 |
3 | Simeon Masaba | 88 | 6 | 2002–2013 |
4 | Tony Mawejje | 86 | 8 | 2003–2018 |
5 | Denis Onyango | 82 | 0 | 2005–2021 |
6 | Hassan Wasswa | 81 | 0 | 2006–2019 |
7 | Farouk Miya | 79 | 23 | 2014–2023 |
Khalid Aucho | 79 | 2 | 2013–present | |
9 | Andrew Mwesigwa | 75 | 7 | 2003–2014 |
10 | Geoffrey Massa | 72 | 22 | 2005–2017 |
Rank | Player | Goals | Caps | Ratio | Career |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Emmanuel Okwi | 28 | 95 | 0.29 | 2009–2023 |
2 | Farouk Miya | 23 | 79 | 0.29 | 2014–2023 |
3 | Geoffrey Massa | 22 | 72 | 0.31 | 2005–2017 |
4 | Majid Musisi | 20 | 29 | 0.69 | 1987–2000 |
5 | Hassan Mubiru | 18 | 63 | 0.29 | 1998–2007 |
6 | David Obua | 16 | 36 | 0.44 | 2003–2011 |
7 | Geoffrey Sserunkuma | 14 | 54 | 0.26 | 2002–2017 |
8 | Brian Umony | 12 | 36 | 0.33 | 2009–2015 |
9 | Jackson Mayanja | 10 | 27 | 0.37 | 1988–1999 |
10 | Patrick Kaddu | 9 | 21 | 0.43 | 2018–2022 |
Fahad Bayo | 9 | 29 | 0.31 | 2018–present | |
Philip Obwiny | 9 | 48 | 0.19 | 1994–2003 | |
FIFA World Cup record | Qualification record | |||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | ||
1930 to 1958 | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | ||||||||||||||
1962 to 1974 | Did not enter | Did not enter | ||||||||||||||
![]() | Did not qualify | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 | |||||||||
![]() | Withdrew | Withdrew | ||||||||||||||
![]() | Did not qualify | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | |||||||||
![]() | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | ||||||||||
![]() | Withdrew during qualifying | Withdrew during qualifying | ||||||||||||||
![]() | Did not qualify | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5 | |||||||||
![]() ![]() | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 7 | ||||||||||
![]() | 12 | 3 | 2 | 7 | 10 | 18 | ||||||||||
![]() | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 8 | 9 | ||||||||||
![]() | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 6 | ||||||||||
![]() | 8 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 7 | 2 | ||||||||||
![]() | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 2 | ||||||||||
![]() ![]() ![]() | To be determined | 8 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 12 | 7 | |||||||||
![]() ![]() ![]() | To be determined | |||||||||||||||
![]() | ||||||||||||||||
Total | 56 | 22 | 12 | 22 | 56 | 66 |
Africa Cup of Nations record | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA |
![]() | Not affiliated to CAF | |||||||
![]() | ||||||||
![]() | Fourth place | 4th | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
![]() | Withdrew | |||||||
![]() | Did not qualify | |||||||
![]() | Group stage | 8th | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 8 |
![]() | Did not qualify | |||||||
![]() | ||||||||
![]() | Group stage | 6th | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 |
![]() | Group stage | 8th | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 6 |
![]() | Runners-up | 2nd | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 7 |
![]() | Withdrew | |||||||
![]() | ||||||||
![]() | Did not qualify | |||||||
![]() | ||||||||
![]() | ||||||||
![]() | Withdrew | |||||||
![]() ![]() | Did not qualify | |||||||
![]() | Group stage | 13th | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
![]() | Round of 16 | 13th | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
![]() | Did not qualify | |||||||
![]() | ||||||||
![]() | Qualified | |||||||
![]() ![]() ![]() | Qualified as co-hosts | |||||||
Total | Runners-up | 8/35 | 23 | 4 | 3 | 16 | 21 | 38 |
African Nations Championship record | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA |
![]() | Did not qualify | |||||||
![]() | Group stage | 15th | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 5 |
![]() | 12th | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | |
![]() | 12th | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 4 | |
![]() | 12th | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | |
![]() | 14th | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 7 | |
![]() | 11th | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
![]() ![]() ![]() | Quarter-finals | 8th | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 8 | 7 |
Total | Quarter-finals | 7/8 | 23 | 4 | 7 | 12 | 21 | 34 |
Year | Round | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 6th place | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 10 | 14 |
1973–1987 | Did not enter | ||||||
Total | - | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 10 | 14 |
(1973–2023)
Year | Round |
---|---|
![]() | Runners-up |
![]() | Runners-up |
Completely updated and corrected per the cited source on 8 September 2025 [7]
Against | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | GF | GA | GD |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 13 | 2 | 4 | 7 | 10 | 22 | −12 |
![]() | 8 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 10 | 10 | 0 |
![]() | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 5 | −2 |
![]() | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | –2 |
![]() | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 2 | +6 |
![]() | 8 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 6 | −2 |
![]() | 16 | 10 | 3 | 3 | 27 | 10 | +17 |
![]() | 7 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 14 | −7 |
![]() | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | −1 |
![]() | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | +2 |
![]() | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | +2 |
![]() | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | –2 |
![]() | 8 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 14 | 7 | +7 |
![]() | 14 | 5 | 2 | 7 | 10 | 23 | −13 |
![]() | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 34 | 3 | +31 |
![]() | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 |
![]() | 19 | 2 | 2 | 15 | 13 | 36 | −23 |
![]() | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 12 | 4 | +8 |
![]() | 33 | 14 | 9 | 10 | 47 | 39 | +8 |
![]() | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | −1 |
![]() | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
![]() | 13 | 3 | 6 | 4 | 10 | 13 | −3 |
![]() | 9 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 15 | 14 | +1 |
![]() | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | +3 |
![]() | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
![]() | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
![]() | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | –1 |
![]() | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 7 | –2 |
![]() | 55 | 19 | 26 | 11 | 62 | 58 | +4 |
![]() | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 |
![]() | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | +2 |
![]() | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 0 | +8 |
![]() | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | −2 |
![]() | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
![]() | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 10 | 6 | +4 |
![]() | 29 | 12 | 8 | 9 | 33 | 30 | +3 |
![]() | 7 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 10 | −6 |
![]() | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | +6 |
![]() | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 13 | 5 | +8 |
![]() | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 8 | –1 |
![]() | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | +1 |
![]() | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 3 | +2 |
![]() | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | −1 |
![]() | 10 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 14 | 9 | +5 |
![]() | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 5 | +1 |
![]() | 35 | 15 | 11 | 9 | 43 | 26 | +17 |
![]() | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 |
![]() | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | −2 |
![]() | 8 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 9 | −4 |
![]() | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 2 | +6 |
![]() | 24 | 20 | 3 | 1 | 71 | 9 | +62 |
![]() | 8 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 11 | 16 | −5 |
![]() | 8 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 20 | 6 | +14 |
![]() | 24 | 12 | 8 | 4 | 35 | 20 | +15 |
![]() | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
![]() | 61 | 33 | 17 | 11 | 100 | 55 | +45 |
![]() | 9 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 12 | −6 |
![]() | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 16 | −15 |
![]() | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
![]() | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | –2 |
![]() | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
![]() | 38 | 12 | 7 | 19 | 41 | 51 | -10 |
![]() | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 |
![]() | 16 | 2 | 9 | 5 | 11 | 14 | −3 |
Total | 587 | 243 | 161 | 183 | 789 | 628 | +161 |
Note: Country in italic is not a member of FIFA.
Competition | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|
CAF African Cup of Nations | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Total | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |