Uganda Cranes head coach Milutin Sredojevic has reduced the provisional squad that is preparing for the 2022 African Nations Championship (CHAN).

After more than a week in residential camp, the squad started to take shape with seven players dropped today. These are Grant Matsiko, Arthur Kiggundu, Filbert Obenchan, Bright Vuni, Hussein Ssenoga, Kagawa Ssenoga and Cromwell Rwothomio.

The rest of the group will continue with preparations up to Saturday, 31st December when the final travelling squad will be confirmed.

On New Year’s day, the team will travel to Tunisia for another training camp with a number of friendly games lined up.

Uganda is in Group B of CHAN 2022 alongside the Democratic Republic of Congo, Senegal and the Ivory Coast

Current Squad

Goalkeepers: Nafian Alionzi (URA FC), Mathias Muwanga (Onduparaka FC), Emmanuel Kalyowa (BUL FC), Joel Mutakubwa (Gaddafi FC), Jack Komakech (Vipers SC), Abdu Magada (Gaddafi FC)

Defenders: Ashiraf Mandela (Vipers SC), James Begisa (URA FC), Derrick Ndahiro (URA FC), Isa Mubiru (Vipers SC), Hillary Mukundane (Vipers SC), Kenneth Ssemakula(SC Villa), Geofrey Wasswa (KCCA FC), Gift Fred (SC Villa)

Midfielders: Siraje Ssentamu (Vipers SC), Marvin Joseph Youngman (Vipers SC), Saidi Kyeyune (URA FC), Abdu Karim Watambala(Vipers SC), Moses Waiswa (KCCA)

Forwards: Milton Karisa (Vipers SC), Ibrahim Orit (Vipers SC), Travis Mutyaba (SC Villa), Moses Aliro (Wakiso Giants FC), Rogers Kassim Mato (KCCA FC), Bright Anukani (Vipers SC), Ibrahim Kasule (Wakiso Giants FC), Titus Ssematimba (Wakiso Giants), Frank Ssebufu (Wakiso Giants FC), Najib Yiga (Vipers SC), Nelson Ssenkatuka

FUFA has received 2 Billion Uganda Shillings from the Government of Uganda as part of arrears to assist in preparations for the Uganda Cranes squad ahead of the CHAN Finals in Algeria.

FUFA says part of the funds will also help in the settlement of arrears accrued due to the team’s previous international engagements.

FUFA is allocated UGX 17Bn in the Annual National Budget and has only received UGX 4.8BN.

“I thank the Government of Uganda led by HE President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports Mama Janet Museveni, Parliament of Uganda, Ministry of Finance, Minister of State for Sports Hon. Peter Ogwang, National Council of Sports, and various Government organs for playing a vital role in the release of the funds” FUFA President Hon. Magogo Moses Hassim is quoted by FUFA’s official website.

“We are glad to receive this timely support from Government as the Uganda Cranes CHAN Squad is already in camp preparing for CHAN Finals due next month in Algeria,” added Magogo.

The Cranes fly out on 1st January 2023 for build-up matches in Tunisia before connecting to Algeria.

Uganda Hippos, the U20 Men’s national football team, has been drawn into Group B of the U20 Africa Cup of Nations.

The tournament will take place from 19th February to 11th March 2023 in Cairo (Group A), Ismailia (Group B), and Alexandria (Group C).

As per the draw conducted in the Egyptian capital Cairo, Uganda’s group has Central Africa Republic, South Sudan, and Congo.

Uganda Hippos will be making their second appearance at the tournament following their successful debut in 2021 in Mauritania in which they made the finals.

The Hippos, coached by Jackson Mayanja, qualified for the 2023 tournament through the CECAFA U20 tournament held last month in Sudan. Uganda won the tournament after beating South Sudan 2-1 in the final thanks to goals from Issa Bugembe and Titus Ssematimba.

2023 AFCON U20 Groups

• Group A – Egypt, Mozambique, Senegal, Nigeria
• Group B – Uganda, Central African Republic, South Sudan, Congo
• Group C – The Gambia, Tunisia, Benin, Zambia

Patrick Kaddu continued with his fine form scoring a brace as Kitara beat Kyetume 4-1 in a Fufa Big League game played at Kigaaya Playground on Thursday.

Kaddu completed his brace in the first half to take his tally to 12 goals while Moses Sseruyide and Edson Agondeze scored the other goals in the second half for the victors.

Muzamiru Waiswa scored Kyetume’s consolation.

The win, seventh for Kitara,  means they climb to the top with now 23 points after Mbarara City, who were leaders before Thursday’s game were beaten 2-1 by Luweero United.

Kitara is level on points with second-placed NEC FC who edged Booma FC 1-0 away from home.

Meanwhile, Kyetume who suffered their sixth loss of the season dropped to the 12th position with 11 points collected from eleven games so far.

FUFA Big League Results | Thursday 22nd December

• Kitara FC 4-1 Kyetume FC
• Adjumani TC 1-2 Police FC
• Luweero United 2-1 Mbarara City
• Soroti City  2-0 Ndejje University
• Kaaro Karungi FC 1-1 Kataka FC
• Booma United 0-1 NEC FC
• Jinja North 1-0 Lugazi FC

Luweero United condemned Mbarara City FC to their first loss of the season as they won the encounter 2-1 at Kosovo Grounds in Kasana Luweero.

Isaaac Balyejusa and Musa Mugerwa scored in each half to ensure victory for the home side.

Midfielder Jamir Nvule scored the consolation for Mbarara City four minutes to full time.

The victory lifts Luweero United to 8th place on the table with 15 points from 11 games.

Mbarara City drop to the third position as they remain on 22 points, one behind leaders Kitara FC and second-placed NEC FC.

Both teams will next play on Thursday, 29th December when the Big League returns from a festive season holiday.

Luweero United will visit table leaders Kitara FC at Kigaya in Hoima while Mbarara City FC will host Soroti City FC at Kakyeka Stadium in Mbarara

Results

• •Luweero United 2-1 Mbarara City
•   Soroti City FC 2-0 Ndejje University
•  Kitara FC 4-1 Kyetume FC
• Kaaro Karungi 2-1 Calvary FC
•  Northern Gateway 1-1 Kataka FC
•  Booma FC 0-1 NEC FC

Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredejovich has added Nelson Ssenkatuka to the Uganda Cranes team that starts preparations for CHAN 2022.

The Bright Stars forward had earlier been not included in the initial 35-man squad named on Tuesday.

Senkatuka has been in fine form for his club with seven goals to his name. On Tuesday, he assisted Emmanuel Peter Loki’s goal as Bright Stars stunned KCCA at Kavumba Recreational Ground.

As the team starts training on Thursday at Lugogo, FUFA has confirmed that Ssenkatuka will be part of the squad.

Fred Amaku (Maroons), also on seven, Express forward Allan Kayiwa, and Karim Ndugwa  (BUL) are some of the inform players left out of the squad.

The tournament meant for only home-based players kicks off on 13th January 2023 in Algeria.

Uganda is pitted in Group B alongside tournament heavyweights DR Congo, Senegal, and Ivory Coast.

Denis Ojara bagged a second-half hat-trick as Onduparaka Football Club picked their first win of the season to complete the first round on a high.

Dominic Abonga and Emmanuel Oketch added a goal each as the Catterpilars beat UPDF five-one at Greenlight Stadium in the West Nilecity of Arua.

Ezekiel Katende’s early for the visitors turned out to be a consolation.

Ojara his first-ever UPL hat trick within 20 minutes which turned out to be Caterpillars’ Christmas gift to their fans.

The result means that Onduparaka who are still at the bottom of the table with 7 points are just four points short of the cutoff zone while UPDF slipped to 13th with 10 points.

Katende put the visitors ahead inside ten minutes with a beauty in the top corner after receiving a good pass from Douglas Oyirwoth.

Six minutes later, Onduparaka leveled matters through Abonga who scored off Gaddifi Gadinho’s corner kick.

In the added time of the first half, Okocha converted from the spot after he was fouled by Davis Kakaire to put the hosts in the lead.

The second half was all Onduparaka as just ten minutes in, Ojara beat his maker after receiving from Adriko, to extend Onduparaka’s lead.

Five minutes later he scored his second and a fourth for the hosts from Abonga’s drop ball which he fired at first sight.

With 15 minutes left to play, Ojara completed his hat-trick and a fifth for his side after yet another long ball from Gadinho.

Next Up

Ondupara will open its second round against URA at Green Light on 11th February while UPDF will open up with Express on the same day.

Starting Xs

Onduparaka – Mathias Muwanga, Gadinho Gaddafi, Bernard Ndifuna, Rashid Yakin, Rashid Okocha, Alex Adriko, Dominic Abonga, Amosi Muwonge, Denis Ojara, Davis Mayanja.

UPDF – Simon Mbuya, Ibrahim Wammanah, Samson Kasozi, Rogers Adriko, Frank Yiga, Donato Okello, Denis Kakaire, Ezekiel Katende, Rogers Mugisha, Douglas Oyirwoth, Aggrey Kirya.

Express Football Club played to a goalless draw with Blacks Power, ending their first round on a low note.

The Red Eagles lacked the cutting edge in the final third and missed several scoring opportunities.

Youngster Hassan Mubiru looped over the bar with the keeper beaten in the opening exchanges while Anwar Ntege’s effort rattled the crossbar.

Arthur Kiggundu, Ivan Mayanja and Faisal Ssekyanzi all came close but the side couldn’t find the breakthrough.

Express has now gone four straight home games without scoring a single goal and has seen no victory in seven games since that win by forfeiture over Busoga United.

Express complete the first round in 9th place with 14 points from as many games while Blacks Power jumps out of the relegation zone with 11 points thus far.

Next Up

Express will face UPDF in their first game of the second round on 11th February at Wankulukuku while Blacks Power will visit BUL at Njeru on 10th February.

Starting XIs

Express – Abdul Kimera, Isa Lumu, Hamim Ssemakula, Arthur Kiggundu, Daniel Shabene, Anwar Ntege, Andrew Kaggwa, Allan Kayiwa, Hassan Mubiru, Joshua Musoke, Faisal Ssekyanzi

Blacks Power – Emmanuel Odongo, Simon Misaki, Daniel Otim, Ivan Okello, Franco Onen, Michael Siwu, John Paul Acire, Haron Odongo, Jimmy Ndalambi

URA FC continued a torrid start to the 2022/23 Uganda Premier League season after they suffered a 2-1 loss to Gaddafi, their fourth of the season.

First-half goals from Andrew Waiswa (penalty) and Mahad Yaya Kakooza were enough to guide the Soldier Boys to victory.

URA could only settle for a consolation goal from substitute George Senkaaba late in the game.

The hosts opened the scores in the 19th minute with Waiswa converting from the spot after defender Najib Fesali held the ball in the box.

Before the break, Kakooza’s deflected effort beat goalkeeper Nafian Alionzi at the near post to double Gaddafi’s lead.

Senkaaba who came on in place of Ibrahim Dada scored for the Tax Collectors four minutes to time but this could only settle for a consolation.

The win meant Gaddafi moved to 21 points and finished the first round in 7th position. URA FC on the other hand are a distant 11th with just 14 points.

 

Busoga United registered a huge league victory, beating defending champions Vipers Sports Club at the Fufa Technical Center in Njeru.

Ibrahim Kayiwa scored the only game of the game in added time to see off the Venoms.

Vipers failed to defend a long throw-in into the area from Peter Onzima as Siraje Sentamu headed into Kayiwa’s path who volleyed in the winner.

Roberto Oliveira’s side thus misses a chance to go top of the table after leaders KCCA FC also lost to Bright Stars 1-0 with Emmanuel Loki the hero for Stars.

Busoga United showed intent right from kick off. Winger Laban Tibita was denied by Fabien Mutombora after defender Hillary Mukundane cheaply gave away possession.

Ibrahim Orit headed onto the upright after goalkeeper Michael Lutaaya mistimed the ball’s trajectory before Busoga United twice cleared their lines as the Venoms failed to find the cutting edge.

It’s the fourth win for Busoga United this season which moves them to nine points (the side were deducted three points by FUFA) and are a point adrift of safety at the end of the first round.

The Venoms remain second with 27 points, having suffered their third loss of the season.

Next Up

Busoga United will kickstart their second round against Maroons on 10th February 2023 while Vipers will visit Bright Stars on 9th February.

Starting XIs

Busoga United – Michael Lutaaya , Isaac Isinde, Thomas Ochungo, Ronald Kasamba, Doca Mweru, Fredrik Ngalo, Jeremy Matata, Laban Tibita, Ibrahim Kayiwa, Hassan Kintu, Bashamu Mugwa.

Vipers – Fabien Mutombora, Ashraf Mandela, Isa Mubiru, Bashir Asiku, Hillary Mukundane, Siraje Sentamu, Frank Zaga, Karim Watambala, Marvin Joseph Youngman, Ibrahim Orit, Cromwell Rwothomio