Uganda Cranes skip March window after safety concerns force change of plans

Uganda Cranes will not be in action during the upcoming international break, shelving plans for two friendly matches that had been lined up against Bahrain and Madagascar.

The fixtures, which were set to be staged in Turkey, have been called off after the federation weighed concerns surrounding travel logistics and safety, particularly with ongoing instability in parts of the Middle East region.

Protecting players and staff ultimately took priority, leading to the decision to withdraw from the window.

This development means head coach Paul Put will have to wait longer to assemble his squad, as players remain with their respective clubs instead of reporting for national duty during what would have been a key preparatory period.

National Teams officer Paul Mukatabala acknowledged the setback but emphasized the circumstances behind the move while speaking to the Daily Monitor. He further noted that while every coach values time on the training ground to shape a competitive side, the situation left the federation with little choice.

He explained that skipping a FIFA window is highly unusual for Uganda, underlining that the decision was not taken lightly but driven by compelling reasons beyond their control.

The timing is far from ideal for Uganda, especially as attention begins to shift toward the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which the country will co-host alongside Kenya and Tanzania. Following a disappointing campaign at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, where the Cranes exited at the group stage, rebuilding momentum remains a key objective.

The March international window, running from 23 to 31 March 2026, will see most nations engage in two matches, leaving Uganda to miss out on valuable opportunities for match sharpness and tactical fine-tuning.

Looking further ahead, Uganda will also sit out the special June 1–9 window, which is reserved exclusively for countries that have qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

However, the Cranes are expected to return to action later in the year, with the next available window falling between late September and early October 2026, when teams are scheduled to play up to four matches under FIFA’s international calendar.