Sadam Masereka’s inclusion headlines eight changes to Paul Put’s Uganda Cranes squad for September’s opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Put named a 28-player squad on Thursday for matches against Tunisia and Libya, followed by two international friendlies against DR Congo.
Uganda visit Tunisia on September 24 before hosting Libya five days later, then face DR Congo on October 2 and 5.
Compared with the 28-player group assembled in Morocco during June, Put has introduced eight players while leaving another eight outside this squad.
That Morocco squad had been selected to face Tanzania and Madagascar before both friendlies were cancelled because of sanitary and public health considerations.
FUFA confirmed Uganda’s delegation had already assembled in Marrakech when the fixtures scheduled for June 5 and June 8 were called off.
Masereka is the standout addition after establishing himself professionally with Colorado Springs Switchbacks in the United States since joining them in January.
The forward turned 22 on Wednesday and previously represented Uganda at Under-20 and Under-23 level before entering the professional game in America.
Colorado Springs signed Masereka after Sporting Kansas City selected him with the 34th overall pick during the 2026 MLS SuperDraft.
He has since made an impression, including a goal and assist against Sporting Kansas City during Colorado’s US Open Cup victory.
Masereka joins Denis Onyango, Toby Sibbick, Jonathan Odongo, Rogers Torach, Gavin Kizito, Kenneth Semakula and Denis Omedi among the eight additions.
However, several are established internationals returning after missing the Morocco selection rather than players earning their first involvement under Put.
Sibbick, for example, missed the June squad after Put revealed the defender was not completely fit when that selection was announced.
Put had also excluded several players through injuries before the Morocco camp, which was intended to expand his options before qualifying began.
Onyango returns to provide considerable experience in goal alongside David Lukwago and NEC goalkeeper Hannington Ssebwalunyo for the four-match programme.
Torach, Kizito, Semakula and Omedi also return to Put’s wider international group, while Odongo receives another opportunity after June’s Zanzibar assignment.
The eight players dropping out from the Morocco squad are Joel Mutakubwa, Raymond Barasa Mangoli, Jordan Obita and Bobosi Byaruhanga.
Abdu Karim Watambala, Sammy Ssebadduka, Arafat Usama and Ivan Ahimbisibwe complete the eight players absent from Thursday’s latest selection.
Obita’s situation is clear because Put confirmed the Hibernian defender is injured, alongside Romanian-based centre-back Elio Capradossi.
Put also identified Byaruhanga among several established absentees whose circumstances include transfers, injuries, club situations and insufficient playing time.
However, FUFA did not attach those explanations to individual players, making it impossible to attribute one specific reason directly to Byaruhanga.
No specific explanation was provided for Mutakubwa, Mangoli, Watambala, Ssebadduka, Usama or Ahimbisibwe in Thursday’s official communication.
Put nevertheless stressed that opportunities remain available to omitted players as preparations intensify for next year’s home Africa Cup of Nations.
Uganda automatically qualify for AFCON 2027 as co-hosts, but these qualifiers provide Put with competitive opportunities to refine his tournament squad.
Eight coming in: Denis Onyango, Toby Sibbick, Jonathan Odongo, Rogers Torach, Gavin Kizito, Kenneth Semakula, Denis Omedi and Sadam Masereka.
Eight dropping out: Joel Mutakubwa, Raymond Barasa Mangoli, Jordan Obita, Bobosi Byaruhanga, Abdu Karim Watambala, Sammy Ssebadduka, Arafat Usama and Ivan Ahimbisibwe.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Denis Onyango – Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa), David Lukwago – SC Villa (Uganda) and Hannington Ssebwalunyo – NEC FC (Uganda)
Defenders: Toby Sibbick – Burton Albion FC (England), Jonathan Odongo – UPPC FC (Uganda), Rogers Torach – CS Constantine (Algeria), Aziizi Kayondo – FC Slovan Liberec (Czech Republic), Herbert Achayi – KCCA FC (Uganda), Herbert Bockhorn – FC Magdeburg (Germany), Nathan Asiimwe – Salford City FC (England), Geofrey Lubanga Kene – SC Villa (Uganda), Hillary Mukundane – Vipers SC (Uganda) and Gavin Kizito – Nairobi United FC (Kenya)
Midfielders: Baba Alhassan – Mardin 1996 Spor (Turkey), Noble Okello – Lexington SC (USA), Kenneth Semakula – Al Ittihad Alexandria Club (Egypt), Allan Oyirwoth – Dunfermline FC (Scotland) and Joseph Seremba – Nairobi United FC (Kenya)
Forwards: Allan Okello – AS FAR (Morocco), James Bogere – AGF (Denmark), Travis Mutyaba – CS Sfaxien (Tunisia), Denis Omedi – Gor Mahia FC (Kenya), Rogers Mato – Hearts FC (Scotland), Hassan Mubiru – Azam FC (Tanzania), Sadam Masereka – Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC (USA), Steven Mukwala – Al Nasr SC (Libya), Richard Basangwa – NEC FC (Uganda) and Frank Ssebufu – SC Villa (Uganda)