Uganda have begun preparations for their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying encounter against Botswana, with the Cranes holding their first training session at Mandela National Stadium on Monday, 9 November 2026.
The East African side will host Botswana at Hoima City Stadium on Saturday, 14 November, as they continue their campaign to secure a place at the continental tournament.
Kick-off for the match is scheduled for 19:00, with Uganda hoping to make home advantage count in an important qualifying fixture.
The opening training session followed the arrival of the first group of players at Marriott Hotel on Sunday, 8 November, marking the beginning of the team’s preparations under their technical staff.
Uganda have also announced ticket prices for the home encounter, with supporters able to purchase Ordinary Lower tickets for UGX 20,000, Ordinary Upper tickets for UGX 30,000 and VIP tickets for UGX 150,000.
All tickets will be available exclusively through online purchases.
Cranes begin preparations in Kampala
The first training session at Mandela National Stadium represents an important step in Uganda’s preparations for the meeting with Botswana.
Following the arrival of the initial group of players on Sunday, the team took to the training ground on Monday to begin preparations for the upcoming assignment.
The Cranes will now look to use the available time to organise the squad before travelling into the match against Botswana.
Their opponents will visit Hoima City Stadium on Saturday, where Uganda will be targeting a positive result in front of their home supporters.
The match forms part of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations 2027 Pamoja qualifying campaign, with both teams seeking to improve their chances of reaching the tournament.
Experienced goalkeeper Onyango included
Uganda’s squad features players drawn from several leagues across Africa, Europe and the United States.
Experienced goalkeeper Denis Onyango, who plays for South African club Mamelodi Sundowns, is among the four goalkeepers selected.
He will be joined by Kingdom Osayi of Sweden’s Assyriska FF, David Lukwago of SC Villa and David Udoh Akpan of Malta’s Mosta FC.
The defensive department contains 11 players, including Toby Sibbick of Burton Albion, Rogers Torach of CS Constantine and Aziizi Kayondo of FC Slovan Liberec.
Other defenders named include Jonathan Odongo, Kenneth Semakula, Nathan Asiimwe, Hilary Mukundane, Gavin Kizito, Majub Toto, Herbert Achayi and Herbert Bockhorn.
The selection gives Uganda a mixture of players competing in different domestic and international leagues as they prepare for the Botswana fixture.
Six midfielders selected
The midfield department comprises six players, with Baba Alhassan of Mardin 1969 Spor and Bobosi Byaruhanga of Oakland Roots among those included.
They will be joined by Allan Oyirwoth of Dunfermline FC, Joseph Seremba of Nairobi United, Khalid Aucho of Sidama Bunna and Abdoulaye Sissako of St. Truidense V.V.
The six midfielders will form part of Uganda’s options as the team prepares for the challenge posed by Botswana.
The attacking department has nine players, including Allan Okello of AS FAR, James Bogere of AGF and Travis Mutyaba of CS Sfaxien.
Kelvin Boateng of FK Austria Wien, Rogers Mato of Hearts FC and Arnold Vula of K. Beerschot V.A. have also been included.
The remaining forwards are Sadam Masereka of Colorado Springs Switchbacks, Denis Omedi of Gor Mahia and Frank Ssebufu of SC Villa.
