Uganda lacrosse men’s national team general manager Brian Kwesiga has said preparations for the World men’s championships are on track despite the arrest of Kenneth Kasule, the president of the Uganda Lacrosse Association.

Kasule was arrested last week for allegedly misappropriating funds meant for air tickets for the team that will travel to the USA for the World Championships.

Kasule paid only sh37m instead of the full amount of sh97m for air tickets. Sh60m could not be accounted for and the matter was reported to the state house anti-corruption unit that arrested Kasule and detained him.

Keith Lubangakene (front) during a ball control drill

“My team and I remain steadfast and resolute in our mission to ensure the success of our men's senior national lacrosse team as they prepare to compete in the 14th edition of the 2023 World Lacrosse Championship from June 21 to July 1 in San Diego, California,” Kwesiga said.

Kwesiga said the team will depart Entebbe International Airport aboard Emirates Airlines on Friday, June 16, touching down at Los Angeles International Airport on Saturday, June 17.

The funds required for this and the return flight have been fully paid. A pre-arranged shuttle will then transport the team to San Diego State University, the Championship venue.

“All Ugandans need to know that our young men who will be representing our nation with pride and honour will be fully supported throughout the tournament and will compete on an equal footing with other international teams, afforded all due services and amenities,” Kwesiga said. 

Lacrosse Cranes head coach Patrick Oriana

Patrick Oriana, the head coach of the team believes his players are in the right mental shape with all the necessary skill sets.

Oriana is rich in experience both as a player who represented the country in the 2014 USA and 2018 Israel championships that the country has taken part in and coached the U21 men’s team as head coach in the U21 men’s championships in Ireland last year as well.

“I am confident that my players have been taken through the mandatory training sessions and wait for only the execution of work plans due to the wealth of experience I have as a tactician and have all it takes to make a statement in this year’s championships.”

Oriana stated this during the Tuesday morning training session at Kyambogo University as the team underwent a light training session.

The team consists of both young talented and mature skilled players but more so the experienced ones like Faizal Nsubuga, Keith Lubangakene, and Daniel Otim who represented the country in the last lacrosse championships of 2018 in Israel.