Having failed to reach the CHAN maiden finals in 2009, Uganda would feature in the 2011 finals, the first of five appearance (still counting) at the competition.
A 5-1 aggregate victory over Burundi in the first round of qualification was followed up by a narrow escape as the Cranes scrapped past Kenya on away goals rule following a 2-2 draw after two legs. The Cranes won 1-0 in Kampala before losing the return leg in Nairobi 2-1.
From then on wards, the Cranes have gone on to reach the CHAN finals of the preceding editions, including the 2020 tournament that was to take place in Cameroon in April, which was postponed due to the on-going COVID-19 pandemic.
In Sudan 2011, Uganda failed to get out of the group’s like they have done in the other three preceding tourneys.
A 2-0 loss to Algeria in the opening game was followed up with 1-0 defeat to Sudan before the Cranes ended their participation, going down 2-1 against Gabon.
We take a look at the squad that represented Uganda at CHAN 2011 and where they are now.
Hamza Muwonge
Muwonge was Cranes first choice goalie at the tournament. The custodian was at fault for the goal against Sudan but never the less, produced some good displays in between the sticks.
By then, Muwonge was at Vipers SC before securing a move to Kenya’s Thika United. He is currently at Bright Stars FC, playing back-up to Edwin Bule having lost the starting role at the start of the 2019/20 campaign.
Yasin Mugabi
He was second choice to Muwonge at the finals and made no appearance.
Mugabi has been a journeyman of sorts and failed to settle down at a single club. As recently as January 2020, he moved to Zambian side Red Arrows FC on a one year deal, leaving Uganda Premier League debutants Wakiso Giants FC.
Denis Iguma
The midfielder turn right back has enjoyed some degree of success since the 2011 CHAN, managing over 60 appearances for the senior National team. From 2011, Iguma has since played for SC Victoria University, Lebanese side Al-Ahed and he is currently at Bekaa SC in the same country. Iguma made two appearances at the 2011 finals, against Sudan and Gabon.
Ivan Bukenya
Bukenya was at Proline FC then and made the squad following a fine season with the club. After a decent showing at the tournament, Bukenya secured a move to Iraq before playing for four other sides with the most recent being Swedish side Linkoping City. Bukenya is currently without a club and is always seen at football venues around Kampala.
Manko Kaweesa
The combative midfielder who was at URA FC at the time. Had stints at Lweza FC, Ethiopian side EEPCO and SC Villa.
Manko is currently without a club after he was released by Villa in 2019.
Ibrahim Saddam Juma
The then Vipers SC midfielder scored the only goal that Uganda managed at the tournament, netting from the spot against Gabon in the final group game. Despite an injury lidden career, Saddam has gone on to play for the, Express FC and KCCA FC on top of having professional stint at Vietnamese side Xuan Thanh Sai Gon. Saddam is currently with KCCA FC.
Noah Ssemakula
Since 2011, Ssemakula has featured for five different sides including SC Villa, Victoria University, Express FC, URA FC and Cameroonian side Bamboutos FC. Since 2018, he has been without a club.
Ceaser Okhuti
Okhuti was at Vipers at the time but has gone on to play for Express FC, KCCA FC and lately Onduparaka FC, in the Uganda Premier League. He also had spells at Vietnamese side Vissai Ninh Binh and El Nasir of South Sudan. Okhuti is currently contracted to Onduparaka FC.
Jimmy Mukubya
One whose whereabouts can not easily tracked but is believed to have ventured into coaching in the lower tiers of Ugandan football following his retirement. Mukubya was at URA FC at the time of CHAN 2011.
Derrick Walulya
Another of those that are currently retired. He is trying out coaching in the lower divisions of Ugandan football. Then at URA FC, Walulya moved to Simba, back to URA FC, Victoria University, SC Villa and BUL FC.
Habib Kavuma
Kavuma received one of the Red Cards for the Cranes at CHAN 2011 as he was sent off against Gabon. He was then at Vipers SC but moved on to KCCA FC where he spent a while before moving to SC Villa and then Katwe United where he currently plays.
Mike Mutyaba
Mutyaba was at Vipers SC by the time of the tournament and after impressing, earned a move to Sudan’s El-Merrickh where injuries hampered his progress before somehow signing for Congolese giants TP Mazembe. After returning to Uganda, he featured for Vipers SC and Express FC before injuries forced him into retirement.
In 2018, he signed for KCCA FC and he is currently in his second year with the Kasasiro Boys.
Simeon Masaba
He captained the team at CHAN 2011. Masaba was at URA in 2011 and stayed there until his retirement. He is currently part of the coaching staff at Onduparaka FC.
Yuda Mugalu
Then at Victors FC, Mugalu moved to DC Motema Pembe (DR Congo) before joining KCC FC but was loaned to Victors FC. He has recently featured for Paidha Black Angels in the Uganda Premier League in the 2018/19 season.
Owen Kasule
A Vipers SC player at the time and has since had stints in Vietnam, URA FC, KCCA FC, Lweza FC. He is currently at Kyetume FC as the Mukono based side continue enjoy their debut season in the Uganda Premier League.
Simon Sserunkuma
One who was tipped for greatness but somehow failed to live up to the hype. Was at SC Villa in 2011 and then moved to Vipers SC. He has also played at Express FC, Tanzania’s Simba SC, back at Villa, then Tooro United FC and now plays for KCCA FC where he barely gets a kick-in in the first team.
Ayub Kisalita
Another one who promised so much but has so far failed to live up to expectations. Consistently bothered by injuries, Kisalita has since gone on to feature for Lweza FC, SC Villa, Express FC and he is currently at Wakiso Giants FC.
Tony Odur
Another one who got sent off at the tournament. Odur’s red card came in the loss to Algeria and perhaps that is the only thing he is remembered for at the tournament. Then at Vipers, he moved to KCCA FC, Zambian side Nkana Red Devils, Express FC, back to Vipers and then back to Express. He is currently at Big League side Katwe United.
Coach – Bobby Williamson
Williamson continued to coach the Uganda Cranes until 2013 before heading to Kenya where he was manager of both Gor Mahia and the Harambe Stars. He is currently out of management.
Credit: Some of the information in this piece got from Kawowo Sports article published in 2013
