David GOMBE
On Wednesday, Uganda Cranes head coach Paul Joseph Put summoned a squad of 28 players to begin preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier matches against Mozambique and Somalia due next month.
The Belgian named veteran goalkeeper Denis Masinde Onyango who had retired from international football four years ago.
Before coming out of retirement, Onyango told the technical staff that he will only return to the Cranes fold when goalkeeper Salim Jamal Omar Magoola is also part of the squad, a reliable source told this website.
Magoola has been sidelined on the national team since 2023 and now returns to battle for starting place along with veteran Onyango, Joel Mutakubwa and Nafian Alionzi.
Onyango and Magoola return come at the time when there was a vacuum in the goalkeeping department.
Uganda currently sits fourth on nine points in Group G and will host Mozambique and Somalia on 5th and 8th September respectively.
Uganda Cranes Squad
Goalkeepers;
Dennis Onyango (Mamelodi Sundowns), Salim Jamal (Richards Bay), Alionzi Nafian (Defence Forces), Joel Mutakubwa (BUL FC).
Defenders;
Elvis Bwomono (IBV Vestmannaeyjar), Herbert Bockhorn (FC Magdeburg), Elio Capradossi (FC Universitatea), Rogers Torach (Vipers), Toby Sibbick (Burton Albion), Hillary Mukundane (Vipers), Jordan Obita (Hibernian FC), Aziizi Kayondo (FC Slovan Liberec), Herbert Achayi (KCCA FC), Gavin Kizito (KCCA FC).
Midfielders;
Ronald Ssekiganda (APR FC), Kenneth Ssemakula (Al Arabi SC), Joel Sserunjogi (KCCA FC), Abdul Karim Watambala (Vipers), Travis Mutyaba (CS Sfaxien).
Forwards;
Dennis Omedi (APR FC), Allan Okello (Vipers), Joseph Mpande (Pvf Cand FC), Rogers Mato (FK Vardar), Reagan Mpande (SC Villa), Jude Ssemugabi (Kitara), John Paul Dembe (AC Hackens), Patrick Kakande (SC Villa), Uche Ikpeazu (St. Johnstone
