Paul Put calls up uncapped Jordan Obita for Cranes friendlies

Uganda Cranes fixtures

6 June: Cameroon v Uganda

9 June: Uganda v The Gambia

Jordan Obita, a 31-year-old defender for Hibernian FC in Scotland, has earned his first call-up to the Uganda Cranes squad for two upcoming international friendlies in Morocco.

Obita, who previously played for England’s Under-20 and Under-21 teams, is among several foreign-based players summoned by Uganda Cranes head coach Paul Put for the matches against Cameroon on 6 June and The Gambia on 9 June 2025. Both games will take place in Marrakech, Morocco.

Coach Put has named a 28-man squad comprising 12 locally based players and 16 from abroad. This blend of home-grown talent and international experience is intended to strengthen preparations for the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Midfielder Allan Oyirwoth from New England Revolution (USA) makes a return to the squad after over a year and a half out of action. Also included are defender Elio Capradossi from AS Cittadella (Italy) and Wigan Athletic’s Toby Sibbick.

However, there is no place in the squad for defender Aziz Kayondo and striker Muhammad Shaban, both of whom featured in Uganda’s 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Mozambique and Guinea.

The locally based players will assemble at FUFA House in Mengo on 2 June before flying to Morocco. The foreign-based contingent will link up with the team directly in Marrakech.

These friendlies are viewed as crucial tests for the Cranes as they build momentum ahead of more competitive fixtures later in the year.

Full Uganda Cranes squad

Goalkeepers

Isima Watenga – Golden Arrows FC (South Africa), Nafian Alionzi – Defence Forces FC (Ethiopia), Joel Mutakubwa – BUL FC (Uganda) and Hannington Sebwalunyo – NEC FC (Uganda).

Defenders

Elvis Bwomono – St Mirren FC (Scotland), Nico Wadada – Vipers SC (Uganda), Elio Capradossi – AS Cittadella (Italy), Arnold Odong – SC Villa (Uganda), Toby Sibbick – Wigan Athletic FC (England), Hilary Mukundane – Vipers SC (Uganda), Jordan Obita – Hibernian FC (Scotland) and Isaac Muleme – Viktoria Žižkov (Czech Republic).

Midfielders

Bobosi Byaruhanga – Oakland Roots SC (USA), Kenneth Semakula – Club Africain (Tunisia), Allan Oyirwoth – New England Revolution (USA), Enock Ssebagala – NEC FC (Uganda), Abdu Karim Watambala – Vipers SC (Uganda), Allan Okello – Vipers SC (Uganda) and Travis Mutyaba – Bordeaux (France).

Forwards

Dennis Omedi – APR FC (Rwanda), Hakim Kiwanuka – APR FC (Rwanda), Shafik Nana Kwikiriza – KCCA FC (Uganda), Rogers Mato – FK Vardar (North Macedonia), Steven Mukwala – Simba SC (Tanzania), Usama Arafat – KCCA FC (Uganda), John Paul Dembe – AC Hacken (Sweden), Patrick Jonah Kakande – SC Villa (Uganda) and Ivan Ahimbisibwe – URA FC (Uganda).