Hearts of Midlothian defender Toby Sibbick is one of the new players who has been included in the provisional 26-man squad for the two friendly matches against Ghana and Comoros.

Sibbick was born to a Ugandan mother and a Scottish father but has not played for the Scottish national football team which makes him eligible to feature for the Cranes should he accept the call.

The other new faces on the team are forwards Carl James Mujaguzi and youngster Shafic Kakande who feature for FC Athlone in Ireland and Soltilo Bright Stars respectively.

Huddersfield Town goalkeeper Giousue Bellagambi is another player who returns to the national setup. Former KCCA, SC Villa, Express, and Vipers versatile player Allan Kyambadde made a return to the team just like Steven Mukwala while Kitara forward Denis Omedi who is one of the most on-form players in the Uganda Premier League with 10 goals is also part of the squad.

The two buildup matches that will be played during the FIFA international window of March 18th-26th will be held at Stade Grande Marrakech in Morocco.

Captain Khalid Aucho and Abdul Aziizi Kayondo who had been earlier summoned for the friendlies, were later withdrawn after picking up injuries.

Uganda will face Comoros on March 22nd and thereafter take on Ghana in their second game four days later (March 26th).

The two buildup matches will help the Cranes to prepare for the AFCON 2025 qualifiers and 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers that are expected to resume in June.

The local-based players commence training at the last games of the Uganda premier league before the international break while the foreign-based players will join the team in Morocco from their respective clubs.

The squad

Goalkeepers-Tom Ikara (BUL FC), Jack Komakech (Vipers), Giousue Bellagambi (Huddersfield Town FC (England)

Defenders- Kenneth Semakkula (SC Villa), Elvis Bwomono (St. Mirren FC,Scotland),Bevis Mugabi(Motherwell FC, Scotland), Toby Sibbick (Hearts,Scotland), Hallidi Lwaliwa (Bregalinca STIP,North Macedonia), Timothy Awany(Ashdod FC,Israel), Denis Kaka Omony (Soltilo Bright Stars), Nicholas Mwere( BUL FC)

Midfielders- Allan Kyambadde (El Dakhleya,Egypt), Ronald Ssekiganda (SC Villa), Ashraf Mugume (KCCA FC), Bobosi Byaruhanga (Austin FC,USA),Moses Opondo(AC Horsens,Denmark), Travis Mutyaba (Zamalek,Egypt)

Forwards-Milton Karisa (Vipers), Denis Omedi (Kitara), Rogers Kassim Mato (Brera Strumica,North Macedonia), Moses Aliro (UR), Steven Mukwala (Asante Kotoko,Ghana), Mohamad Shaban (KCCA),Fahad Bayo (MFK Vyskov,Czech Republic), Carl James Mujaguzi (Athlone Town,Ireland), Shafic Kakande (Soltilo Bright Stars).