The Uganda Rugby Cranes national team departs Wednesday evening for a three-week tour of Namibia and South Africa in preparation for the 2025 men’s Rugby Africa Cup.
A travelling contingent of thirty-six players and ten officials has been named by the Uganda Rugby Union.
The first batch of twenty-four players will travel to Namibia for a test match against the host nation on Saturday, June 14 in Windhoek before connecting to South Africa on June 16. That’s where the second batch of twelve will join them.
In South Africa, Uganda will play two trial matches; against Limpopo Blue Bulls on June 21 and against the Pumas on June 27.
The travelling squad has been selected from players who have trained since the start of the year.
Among them are to-be debutants Fahad Maido, Blair Ayebazibwe, William Nkore, Arnold Mananu and Isaac Massanganzira.
More interestingly, veteran Justin Kimono makes a return to national colours for the first time in four years. Kimono’s last cap was against Ghana in the 2021 Rugby Africa Cup at Kyadondo.
Then, he was a winger but has since reinvented himself as a midfielder with his local clubs KOBs in the Premiership.
Uganda Rugby Cranes Full Travelling Contingent
Forwards:
1 Santos Ssenteza, 2 Edward Emiemu, 3 Fahad Maido, 4 Julius Opio, 5 Sidney Gyobi Gogodyo, 6 Frank Kidega, 7 Byron Oketayot, 8 Pius Ogena, 9 Nathan Asiimire Bwambale, 10 Blair Ayebazibwe, 11 Saul Kivumbi, 12 Eliphaz Emong, 13 Brian Wandera, 14 Frank Evans Kakula, 15 Michael Steve Masendi Otto, 16 Moses Zziwa, 17 Emmanuel Luminsa Kiyaga, 18 Simon Peter Olet, 19 Desire Ayera.
Backs:
20 Conrad Wanyama Wandera, 21 Yasin Smith Wasswa, 22 Shakim Ssembusi, 23 Justin Kimono Simwende, 24 Thomas Innocent Gwokto, 25 Ivan Otema, 26 Timothy Kisiga, 27 Aaron Ofyorwoth, 28 Liam Christopher Walker, 29 Joseph Aredo Jadwong, 30 William Nkore Ampeire, 31 Nicholas Kato, 32 Arnold Mananu, 33 lan Arnold Munyani, 34 Adrian Kasito, 35 Haruna Muhammed, 36 Isaac Newton Massanganzira.
Management:
1 Team Manager – Charles Andrew Ikopit
2 Assistant Team Managers – Isaac Kimeze Kapalaga, Adam Kabalega
3 High Performance Consultant – Cornelius Johannes Marais
4 Head Coach – Fred Alex Mudoola
5 Assistant Coaches – Marvin Harold Odongo (forwards), Leonard Lubambula (backs), Zane Kirchner (backs & kicking), Timothy Mudoola Muwumba (Strength & Conditioning)
6 Medical – Bugosera Sulaiman Wasukira (doctor), Noah Kayongo (Physio)
The Rugby Cranes will be back home a week to the 2025 Rugby Africa Cup.
