Sentamu returns as Uganda Cranes announce CHAN provisional squad

The Uganda Cranes coaching staff has named a provisional squad of 41 players for the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), set to take place from August 2 to 30 across Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.

The tournament is exclusively for players competing in their domestic leagues.

Fred Muhumuza and Morley Byekwaso will serve as co-head coaches, leading the team through the competition. Preparations begin on Monday, June 23, 2025, with training sessions at Prisons Ground in Luzira starting at 9:00 a.m.

Among the notable call-ups is striker Yunus Junior Sentamu of Vipers SC, returning to the national setup after a stellar 2024/25 season in which he helped his club secure both the Uganda Premier League and the Stanbic Uganda Cup. With 30 international caps and five goals, Sentamu brings valuable experience, having first made his mark at the 2014 CHAN in South Africa. His career has included stints in DR Congo, Tunisia, Finland, and Albania.

Midfielder Ronald Ssekiganda, soon to join APR FC in Rwanda, also features in the squad, bolstering a midfield that includes standout local talents such as Alex Emmanuel Wasswa (Express FC), Enock Ssebagala (NEC), Abdul-Karim Watambala (Vipers), Reagan Mpande (Kitara), and Saidi Mayanja.

The squad also highlights youth development, with U-17 international James Bogere of Masaka Sunshine earning a spot—part of a broader strategy to blend emerging talent with seasoned players.

The squad consists of five goalkeepers, thirteen defenders, twelve midfielders, and eleven forwards. Players from top Uganda Premier League teams like Vipers SC, SC Villa, KCCA FC, and others are included in this provisional lineup.

The 2024 CHAN will kick off with its first match at Tanzania’s Benjamin Mkapa Stadium on August 2, and the final will take place in Kenya at Kasarani Stadium on August 30. Uganda will host the third-place playoff at the renovated Mandela National Stadium in Kampala.

Full Provisional Squad

Goalkeepers
Joel Mutakubwa (BUL FC), Hannington Ssebwalunyo (NEC FC), Crispas Kusiima (Kitara FC), Mutwalibu Mugolofa (KCCA FC), Denis Kiggundu (Vipers SC)

Defenders
Gavin Kizito (KCCA FC), Lazaro Bwambale (Kitara FC), James Begisa (URA FC), David Owori (SC Villa), Herbert Achayi (Express FC), Gideon Odongo (NEC FC), Enock Walusimbi (URA FC), Nicholas Mwere (BUL FC), Jacob Okao (KCCA FC), Ronald Otti (Kitara FC), Arnold Odong (SC Villa), Rogers Torach (Vipers SC), Hilary Mukundane (Vipers SC)

Midfielders
Marvin Youngman (Vipers SC), Joel Sserunjogi (KCCA FC), Emmanuel Wasswa (Express FC), Elvis Ngondwe (SC Villa), Reagan Mpande (SC Villa), Saidi Mayanja (KCCA FC), Ronald Ssekiganda (Unattached), Abdul Karim Watambala (Vipers SC), Enock Ssebagala (NEC FC), Jerome Kirya (BUL FC), Allan Okello (Vipers SC), Aslam Ssemakula (SC Villa)

Forwards
Milton Karisa (Vipers SC), Shafik Nana Kwikiriza (KCCA FC), Kiza Arafat (KCCA FC), Emmanuel Anyama (KCCA FC), Yunus Sentamu (Vipers SC), Charles Lwanga (SC Villa), Ivan Ahimbisibwe (URA FC), Baden Ogama (Maroons FC), James Bogere (Masaka Sunshine FC), Patrick Kakande (SC Villa), Jude Ssemugabi (Kitara FC)