Uganda pace bowler Innocent Mwebaze has travelled to India to begin a two-month rehabilitation programme as he works to recover from a recurring lower-back injury that has slowed his development.
The 22-year-old, part of the Uganda national cricket team setup, arrived earlier this week and will undergo treatment at the Omtex ICWC Cricket Institute in Maharashtra under specialist supervision.
Mwebaze has been dealing with chronic lumbar pain linked to his bowling action. His recovery plan is structured in phases, starting with pain management and spinal stability before progressing to strength work, biomechanical correction, and a gradual return to bowling.
The programme is designed to restore spinal strength, correct his bowling mechanics, and prepare him for a safe return to competitive cricket.
Upon arrival, Mwebaze was received by institute director Vijay Patel alongside physiotherapist Harshit Jain and coach Tamuno John Harry, who will oversee his rehabilitation and technical adjustments.
Speaking before the start of the programme, Mwebaze said:
“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Cricket Uganda for sponsoring my journey to Omtex for my back injury rehabilitation program.
“This opportunity means a great deal to me. It has given me hope, strength, and the chance to fully recover and return stronger.
“I am committed to making the most of this program and coming back fit to represent Uganda with pride.”
Cricket Uganda’s Head of High Performance Richard Okia said the move reflects the governing body’s long-term focus on player welfare.
“Innocent is very much part of our national setup. He has been backup to our frontline and strike bowlers and we see him as one for the future,” Okia said.
“Taking him to India shows our commitment to ensuring players enjoy long and productive careers.”
Mwebaze, a right-arm medium-fast bowler who models his game on Dale Steyn, is considered one of Uganda’s promising pace prospects. He has featured in two T20 internationals and taken 10 wickets in six domestic T20 matches, with best figures of 6 for 24.
His rehabilitation is part of a broader high-performance strategy aimed at strengthening Uganda’s player pool, with the expectation that he will return fit and compete for a place in the national side’s pace attack.
