Ugandan football is reaping the rewards of its youth development revolution. Eleven players from the FUFA Juniors League are part of coach Paul Put’s 28-man squad announced on August 27, underlining the competition’s growing role in shaping the national team.
From Juniors to Cranes
Names like Aziizi Kayondo (Slovan Liberec, Czech Republic), Travis Mutyaba (CS Sfaxien, Tunisia), Allan Okello (Vipers SC), and Rogers Mato (FK Vardar, North Macedonia) headline a group of youngsters who cut their teeth in Uganda’s academies before stepping onto the international stage.
Put praised their impact, saying:
“The energy and talent coming from these young players is incredible. Their time in the juniors’ league gave them the foundation to compete at this level.”
Many of them already impressed at CHAN 2024, while others, like Okello and Mutyaba, are fast becoming Cranes fan favourites.
Building on Progress
Since its inception in 2015, the Juniors League has helped power Uganda to AFCON qualifications in 2017 and 2019, and now fuels hopes for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The U17 Cubs’ recent qualification for the 2025 FIFA U17 World Cup is further proof of its impact.
Uganda sit fifth in Group G with six points and face Mozambique and Somalia in September. Victories could keep their World Cup dream alive.
Challenges Remain
Infrastructure still lags behind, with the Cranes forced to play “home” games abroad earlier in the campaign. However, the return to Mandela National Stadium signals progress. The group remains tough, with Algeria, Guinea, and Botswana all in the mix.
Future Looks Bright
For fans, the excitement is real. One supporter posted on X:
“These FUFA Juniors boys are our future! Kayondo, Mutyaba, Okello—time to shine for the Cranes! #WCQ2026.”
With 11 academy graduates in the current squad, Uganda’s investment in youth is finally paying off. The dream of seeing Uganda on the biggest stages of world football no longer feels impossible—it feels within reach.
Next Fixtures
- Uganda vs Mozambique – September 5, 2025
- Uganda vs Somalia – September 9, 2025
Group G (after 6 matchdays)
| Position | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Algeria | 14 |
| 2. | Guinea | 11 |
| 3. | Mozambique | 9 |
| 4. | Botswana | 7 |
| 5. | Uganda | 6 |
| 6. | Somalia | 2 |