Why I wore my crane jersey to work

It was Tuesday, the start of the week but hundreds of Ugandans turned up to work in yellow, white, red and black Crane Jerseys. They are made out of silk material and most of them are short sleeved. If you have taste, you can have your name printed on.

Their prices range between Shs20, 000 and Shs65, 000, depending on where you buy it from. Carol Kasujja talked to people to find out why they wore their jerseys.

When Uganda Cranes had last featured at the finals of the Africa Nations Cup, current head coach Milutin Sredojević, better known as Micho, was only eight years old - and only six months away from turning nine.

Mbarara Vision Group staff

 
And, none of the players that featured in yesterday's Cranes squad had been born. It's a long time of patience and yesterday tonight and the days to come, Uganda will have genuine reason to relish this long-awaited sporting triumph.

"It was an order from my work place, personally you cannot find me wearing a jersey because I know the cranes can disappoint," said Ronald Ssendaula, a journalist.

Suzan Namata, an accountant at Jem company says that she has all reasons to wear the jersey because she has love for her country.

"Even if we do not win, I will not feel bad. I had to wear my jersey to support my team. They are few times cranes have made me smile and I consider yesterday as one of those days, so I have to support them ," said Namata.

Joan Nabirye of Grace Ministries says that the crane jerseys are the latest fashion accessory in the town.

Eco Bank Cranes fans

 
"Usually when we have a game, so many people don their jerseys to show support to their team. But yesterday was different, we had spent more than 30 years without qualifying for African cup of Nation, it would be betraying to my country if I had not donned on one," says Nabirye.

"I usually wear my jersey over the weekend or when I am traveling outside the country but yesterday felt different. I wanted to rock the patriotic look," said James Lutwama.

Uganda Cranes fan in India

 
Where to buy the jersey

You can go to Owino market, Arcades in down town and in any sports center.

DFCU bank Kikuubo Branch Cranes fans