Coach Kingston confident of Cubs' progress ahead of U-17 AFCON
Uganda has shifted its training camp to Casablanca with less than two weeks to kickoff, after nearly two months of training in Njeru.
Uganda U-17 head coach Laryea Kingston. File photo
International friendlies
Tuesday 5th
Uganda v Mozambique
Saturday 9th
Mali v Uganda
Uganda U-17 head coach Laryea Kingston believes the Cubs are on the right path but says there is still room for improvement ahead of the Africa U-17 Cup of Nations 2026 in Morocco.
“There is more room for improvement, but from where we are, we have so much confidence in the team and the progress the players are making. Whatever we ask them to do, they are doing it, and they are taking responsibility and finding solutions on the pitch,” Kingston said.
Uganda has shifted its training camp to Casablanca with less than two weeks to kickoff, after nearly two months of training in Njeru. A provisional squad of 27 players has been named, from which the final team will be selected. The team is captained by Owen Mukisa of Vipers Junior Team.
While in Morocco, the Cubs will play two international friendly matches as part of their build-up, facing Mozambique on Tuesday before taking on Mali on Saturday. The camp will also help the players adapt to weather and match conditions ahead of the tournament.
“We will use the remaining time to assess our opponents and test our approach in friendly matches. We want the boys to be sharp in the preparatory games and remain fresh for the tournament,” he added.
The technical team will use the camp to build cohesion, refine tactical organisation, and ensure players reach optimal condition before the competition begins.
The tournament kicks off on May 13 in Morocco and will feature 16 teams divided into four groups. Uganda is drawn in Group B alongside Ivory Coast, Cameroon, and DR Congo.
The top two teams in each group will advance to the quarter-finals and automatically qualify for the FIFA U-17 World Cup, while two more teams will secure qualification through playoffs.
Uganda qualified for the finals through the CECAFA Zonal Qualifiers after finishing as runners-up. The Cubs recorded wins over Burundi, Sudan, and Djibouti before defeating Ethiopia 3-0 in the semi-finals.
The team heads into the competition with growing confidence following steady progress at youth level. Uganda made its debut at the finals in 2019 and also qualified for the 2021 edition, which was later cancelled due to COVID-19.
At the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2025, the Cubs reached the Round of 16, registering memorable wins over France and Senegal before losing to Burkina Faso on penalties.
Forward James Bogere stood out at that tournament, scoring against France and Canada before earning a move to Aarhus Gymnastikforening in Denmark and a call-up to the senior Uganda Cranes provisional squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Two players, Adrian Mukwanga (Vipers JT) and John Brian Owino (Express FC JT), have been retained from the Cubs squad that featured at the World Cup in Qatar.
Uganda Cubs squad and their jersey numbers
Mubiru Geofrey (GK) – Amus College School
Enoch Mwesigwa – Volf Academy
Eze Kombi – Amus College School
Waita Ibrahim – Buddo SS
Owino Brian – Vipers SC JT
Muhoozi Henry – Amus College School
Abdulshakur Babi – Buddo SS
Thomas Ogema – Kyadondo SSS
Epila Emmanuel – Mentors
Owen Mukisa (C) – Vipers SC JT
Fahad Ismail – KCCA FC JT
Eric Isabirye – Rays of Grace
Travor Mubiru – Vipers SC JT
Reagan James Lwanga – Kibuli SS
Ngobi Shakur – Greenlight Islamic Sch
Arafat Ibanda – NEC JT
Inshirah Mahyoub – Kibuli SS
Adrian Mukwanga (GK) – Vipers SC JT
Ashraf Lukyamuzi (GK) – Kyadondo SSS
Kawooya Nicholas – Buddo SS
Olwa Brian – Edgars Youth Prog.
Musa Suuna – Amus College School
Jemba Ukasha – KCCA FC JT
Edrine Kiddu – Bukedea Comp. Sch
Mujjad Mbalire – Masaka Sec Sch
Yusuf Ssenyonga – Bukedea Comp. Sch
Liam Karissa Kankaka – Oxford United