Uganda Cranes head coach Paul Joseph Put commended the players selected from the Uganda Premier League and those returning to the national team after a long absence.
The Belgian summoned a 27-man squad including 10 players from the UPL and some coming back to the team for the first time in a while.
“I take time to follow Ugandan players in the UPL and abroad because this is my job,” Put told the media before adding.
“And every time I select these players, it is out of the impression and what I expect them to add to the team because we are aiming to improve,” he added.
KCCA’s quartet of defender Gavin Kizito Mugweri, midfielder Saidi Mayanja, winger Shafik Nana Kwikiriza, and striker Derrick Nsibambi were all called up.
As Mugweri returns, Mayanja is maintained whilst Nsibambi and Kwikiriza are in Put’s squad for the first time.
While Nsibambi has been in the Cranes set up under other coaches previously, it is Kwikiriza’s maiden call-up.
“We have all seen how KCCA has started the season and the impact these players have had on the team’s performance so far,” Put said.
“Kwikiriza is a brilliant young player, and he continues to impress in every game. I am not saying he has arrived, but he is one we can work with and improve.”
“For Nsibambi, it was a matter of finding the right club, and I think KCCA has provided him with that, and he has been productive instantly, and I am looking forward to seeing him in the national team,” he noted.
Although Kitara strikers Denis Omedi and Jude Ssemugabi have struggled in the last two UPL games, the Belgian summoned them with their performances in the previous international games in his mind.
“Omedi is a very talented player and I think what is going on right now is a situation Kitara find themselves in generally.”
“But from the perspective of the national team, I am very confident in him, and I am optimistic that he will pick himself up and help the national team because it is what he has always done.”
“If you want to play in the professional leagues, which I believe is his ambition, how you conduct yourself in tough situations speaks volumes, and I trust him,” Put spoke fond of Omedi.
Villa midfielder and captain Ronald Ssekiganda is now a mainstay in the team while the Jogoos defender Arnold Odongo continues to stay around the national team.
Allan Okello continues to be the only player summoned by Put from Vipers and put up a good performance against South Africa and Congo Brazzaville.
BUL defender Nicholas Mwere, who was part of the Cranes squad in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in June, returns after he was dropped for the opening two 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in September.
Meanwhile, Taddeo Lwanga is the biggest name of a player returning to the national team after a while and will be playing under the Belgian for the first time given that the last time he was with the national team was under Milutin Micho Sredojevic in 2023.
“He has been playing consistently with APR and has played on the big stages of the game in Africa and we thought it was the right time to invite him.”
“We also expected that his experience will help the team especially in the midfield and in terms of leadership,” Put noted.
After drawing against South Africa and winning against Congo Brazzaville in the first two 2025 AFCON qualifiers, the Cranes will embark on the doubleheader against South Sudan on October 11 and 15.
