The 2019 CECAFA Kagame Senior Challenge Cup remains a defining reference point for this generation of Ugandan footballers.
It was the last edition of the tournament to be held, and for many members of the Uganda Cranes squad, it marked the moment when promise met attention.
Yet, nearly seven years on, the journeys of most of those players have been anything but straightforward.
While the tournament opened doors, the majority of Uganda’s CECAFA 2019 products largely plied their trade at home in the Uganda Premier League.
A handful earned moves abroad, only to return after struggling to settle in unfamiliar footballing environments.
Now, with the January 2026 transfer window ongoing, several of those players are once again on the move, seeking redemption, stability, or a long-awaited breakthrough beyond Uganda’s borders.
Allan Okello: From Setback to Revival
At the top of that list is Allan Okello, arguably the standout name from that CECAFA-winning squad.
Fresh from the 2019 tournament, Okello earned a move to Algerian side Paradou AC in 2020 from KCCA FC.
Expectations were high, but the transition proved difficult. Limited opportunities and adaptation challenges saw the spell end prematurely, with his contract terminated.
A return home followed, and Vipers SC offered him the platform to reset. At Kitende, Okello rediscovered himself.
He played a central role in Vipers’ domestic dominance, winning a league and cup double while finishing the season as the Uganda Premier League’s top scorer with 19 goals.
His resurgence translated to the international stage. Okello became a mainstay for the Uganda Cranes, playing a key role in qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and making his AFCON debut in Morocco.
Shortly after, he earned another shot abroad, joining Tanzanian giants Young Africans SC, this time with experience, confidence, and pedigree firmly on his side.
Mustafa Kizza: A Journey in Search of Stability
Okello’s former KCCA academy teammate Mustafa Kizza has walked a similarly winding path.
In 2020, Kizza secured a high-profile move to Montreal Impact in Major League Soccer. However, his stay in the United States lasted just a year.
A subsequent move to Portuguese side Arouca in 2022 never truly materialized, as he returned home before featuring competitively, rejoining KCCA FC.
In search of consistency, Kizza joined Express FC in 2024, only to leave within the same season for Telecom FC in Egypt, a deal he later described as the worst of his career.
Another swift return home followed, and for the 2025/26 campaign, he signed for NEC FC, then one of the league’s standout sides.
His performances in continental competition caught the eye. During CAF Confederation Cup qualifiers against Nairobi United, Kizza impressed enough for the Kenyan side to secure his signature midway through the season, marking yet another chapter in his nomadic career.
Halid Lwaliwa: The Perpetual Mover
Defender Halid Lwaliwa is another CECAFA 2019 alumnus who has steadily explored foreign opportunities.
Unlike Okello and Kizza, Lwaliwa’s professional journey abroad began in 2022 when he joined FK Bregalnica Štip in North Macedonia.
Since then, movement has been frequent. In 2024, he ventured into the Middle East with Al-Ain in Saudi Arabia.
After spending the early part of the 2025/26 season without a club, the former Vipers captain has now found a new home in the Oman Jindal League, signing for Al-Shabab SC as he looks to re-establish continuity in his career.
Steven Mukwala: North Africa Beckons
Striker Steven Mukwala has also remained a familiar name on the transfer carousel.
The former Vipers and URA forward first left Uganda in 2022, joining Ghanaian giants Asante Kotoko.
His performances in West Africa made him a sought-after asset, eventually earning him a move to Simba SC in Tanzania in 2024.
Mukwala started brightly at Simba, but form and fortunes shifted. In and out of the starting lineup, he eventually parted ways with the club despite having a year left on his contract.
Having tested himself in West and East Africa, Mukwala has now set his sights further north, signing for Al-Nasr, hoping North Africa provides the spark for his next leap forward.
Joel Madondo: From CECAFA Glory to Southern Africa
Like Kizza, Joel Madondo etched his name into CECAFA folklore, scoring in the 2019 final as Uganda defeated Eritrea 3-0 at Lugogo.
That moment earned him a move to Moroccan heavyweights Wydad Casablanca, but as with many Ugandan players before him, the North African challenge proved demanding.
Limited opportunities saw Madondo return home, joining Gaddafi FC (now Entebbe UPPC) in 2021, with a brief spell at BUL FC also part of the journey.
Another chance abroad emerged this season when he signed for Nsingizini Hotspurs in Eswatini.
His upward trajectory has continued, with a bigger move now secured to Richards Bay FC in South Africa’s Premier Soccer League, arguably his most significant opportunity since leaving Uganda.
A Generation Still Chasing Its Moment
For Uganda’s CECAFA 2019 generation, the January 2026 transfer window represents more than just movement. It symbolizes persistence, a refusal to let early struggles define careers.
While their initial steps abroad were marked by challenges, this group now carries experience, resilience, and a deeper understanding of professional football beyond Uganda’s borders.
Whether these latest moves finally deliver long-term success remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the CECAFA 2019 story is far from finished.
