Aucho, Mukwala added to Uganda squad for World Cup qualifiers

Uganda Cranes captain Khalid Aucho and striker Steven Mukwala have been drafted into the national team ahead of the crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Mozambique and Somalia.

 

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The pair’s inclusion, confirmed on Saturday through FUFA’s official channels, brings the provisional squad to 30 players, up from the 28 earlier announced by head coach Paul Put on Wednesday. The two are expected to join camp on Monday.

Put had initially left out Aucho, explaining that the midfielder’s club situation needed to be resolved before his involvement with the Cranes. Mukwala, who features for Simba SC in Tanzania, strengthens the striking options as Uganda pushes for valuable points in Group G.

The team will officially start assembling on Sunday at the FUFA Hotel in Kisaasi, with 11 locally-based players from the CHAN squad expected to report first.

Uganda will host Mozambique on September 5th before facing Somalia on September 8th, both matches set to be played at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole. The Cranes currently sit fourth in Group G with nine points, keeping their qualification hopes alive.

Full Squad

Goalkeepers

Denis Onyango (Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa), Salim Omar Magoola (Richards Bay FC, South Africa), Nafian Alionzi (Defence Forces FC, Ethiopia), Joel Mutakubwa (BUL FC, Uganda)

Defenders

Elvis Bwomono (IBV Vestmannaeyjar, Iceland), Herbert Bockhorn (FC Magdeburg, Germany), Elio Capradossi (Universitatea Cluj, Romania), Rogers Torach (Vipers SC, Uganda), Toby Sibbick (Burton Albion, England), Hilary Mukundane (Vipers SC, Uganda), Jordan Obita (Hibernian, Scotland), Aziz Kayondo (Slovan Liberec, Czech Republic), Herbert Achayi (KCCA FC, Uganda), Gavin Kizito (KCCA FC, Uganda)

Midfielders

Khalid Aucho (Unattached), Ronald Ssekiganda (APR FC, Rwanda), Kenneth Semakula (Al Arabi SC, Kuwait), Joel Sserunjogi (KCCA FC, Uganda), Abdu Karim Watambala (Vipers SC, Uganda), Travis Mutyaba (CS Sfaxien, Tunisia)

Forwards

Denis Omedi (APR FC, Rwanda), Allan Okello (Vipers SC, Uganda), Joseph Mpande (PVF Cand FC, Vietnam), Rogers Mato (FK Vardar, Macedonia), Reagan Mpande (SC Villa, Uganda), Jude Ssemugabi (Kitara FC, Uganda), John Paul Dembe (AC Hackens, Sweden), Patrick Jonah Kakande (SC Villa, Uganda), Uchechukwu Ikpeazu (St. Johnstone, Scotland), Steven Dese Mukwala (Simba SC, Tanzania)