Ivan Ahimbisibwe, Uganda Premier League’s second-highest scorer this season, has the dream finally within grasp.
The lethal forward’s goal-scoring prowess has earned him a place in the national spotlight as Uganda Cranes head coach Paul Joseph Put named him in the 28-man squad set to face Cameroon and Gambia in international friendlies next month.
The matches, scheduled for June 6 and June 9 in Marrakech, Morocco, will see Uganda square off against continental giants Cameroon before testing their strength against the ever-resilient Scorpions of Gambia.
And while the squad features a strong blend of experience and youth, Ahimbisibwe’s inclusion stands out as a testament to consistent domestic performance paying off.
For the 25-year-old striker, this is more than just a call-up, it’s a culmination of grit, goals and growth.
Having found the back of the net with clinical regularity in the domestic league, Ahimbisibwe has been knocking on the Cranes’ door all season.
Now, with this nod from Coach Put, the striker has his chance to answer on the international stage.
Ahimbisibwe joins veteran defender Nicholas Wakiro Wadada among the 12 locally based players named in the squad.
The remaining 16 players are foreign-based and expected to link up with the team in Morocco directly. The local contingent, including Ahimbisibwe is set to depart Uganda on June 2.
With both matches being played in the North African football hub of Marrakech, the friendlies serve as vital preparation for upcoming qualifiers.
Full Uganda Cranes squad
Goalkeepers
Ismail Watenga – Golden Arrows FC (South Africa), Nafian Alionzi – Defence Forces FC (Ethiopia), Joel Mutakubwa – BUL FC (Uganda), Hannington Sebwalunyo – NEC FC (Uganda)
Defenders
Elvis Bwomono – St Mirren FC (Scotland), Nico Wakiro Wadada – Vipers SC (Uganda), Elio Capradossi – AS Cittadella (Italy), Arnold Odong – SC Villa (Uganda), Toby Sibbick – Wigan Athletic FC (England), Hilary Mukundane – Vipers SC (Uganda), Jordan Obita – Hibernian FC (Scotland), Isaac Muleme – Viktoria Žižkov (Czech Republic)
Midfielders
Bobosi Byaruhanga – Oakland Roots SC (USA), Kenneth Semakula – Club Africain (Tunisia), Allan Oyirwoth – New England Revolution (USA), Enock Ssebagala – NEC FC (Uganda), Abdu Karim Watambala – Vipers SC (Uganda), Allan Okello – Vipers SC (Uganda), Travis Mutyaba – Bordeaux (France)
Forwards
Dennis Omedi – APR FC (Rwanda), Hakim Kiwanuka – APR FC (Rwanda), Shafik Nana Kwikiriza – KCCA FC (Uganda), Rogers Mato – FK Vardar (North Macedonia), Steven Mukwala – Simba SC (Tanzania), Usama Arafat – KCCA FC (Uganda), John Paul Dembe – AC Hacken (Sweden), Patrick Jonah Kakande – SC Villa (Uganda), Ivan Ahimbisibwe – URA FC (Uganda)
