Obita joins Uganda Cranes as Paul Put taps diaspora talent

Jordan John Obita, a 31-year-old defender currently playing for Hibernian FC in the Scottish Premiership, has answered the call to represent the Uganda Cranes in their upcoming international friendly matches against Cameroon and The Gambia in Morocco.

Born on December 8, 1993, in Oxford, England, to Ugandan parents, Obita becomes the latest foreign-born player of Ugandan descent to be called up by Cranes head coach Paul Put. Since his appointment on November 2, 2023, Put has actively tapped into Uganda’s diaspora talent pool—a strategy that has been met with both optimism and skepticism.

While some players have embraced the opportunity to represent Uganda, others have declined for personal, professional, or legal reasons. However, Obita showed no hesitation. Despite having previously represented England at U18, U19, and U20 levels, he had not yet made a senior appearance for any national team.

“I’m happy to be summoned for the first time and ready to represent the country,” Obita posted on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) following the announcement.

His club, Hibernian FC, also celebrated the news, writing on their official X account: “Well done to Jordan Obita, who has been named in the latest Uganda squad for their upcoming fixtures with Cameroon and The Gambia!”

Obita brings a wealth of experience to the Cranes, having previously played for English clubs including Reading, Gillingham, Portsmouth, Oldham, Oxford United, and Wycombe Wanderers. Since joining Hibernian in 2023, he has made 61 appearances and scored once, establishing himself as a consistent and reliable performer.

A versatile player, Obita can operate as a left back, winger, or central midfielder, adding depth and tactical flexibility to the Ugandan squad as it aims to improve on recent performances.

Obita’s decision contrasts with other diaspora players who have repeatedly declined call-ups. Forward Uche Mubiru Ikpeazu—whose father is Nigerian and mother Ugandan—has turned down several invitations, including AFCON qualifiers in 2021 and the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in 2024, citing medical reasons. At one point, while playing for Middlesbrough, he expressed interest in representing Nigeria instead.

Other notable cases include defender Joel Kitamirike, who declined a call-up in 2006 due to concerns over losing his British citizenship, and Savio Nsereko, who played for Germany’s youth teams but never returned to represent Uganda.

Nonetheless, Coach Paul Put continues to make inroads, having already secured the services of other dual-heritage players such as Elio Capradossi and Toby Sibbick, signaling a steady transformation of the Cranes through strategic international recruitment.