FUFA has identified more than 200 professional footballers across the world who are eligible to represent Uganda as part of a major recruitment drive ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
From that initial pool, Uganda Cranes coach Paul Put and his technical team have identified 20 players for further consideration, with 9 already joining the national team setup.
Noble Okello and Nathan Asiimwe are among the heritage players who have already made the transition into the Uganda Cranes setup.
Both featured as Uganda opened their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with a 1-1 draw against Tunisia in Rades.
Okello previously represented Canada at senior level before switching his international allegiance to Uganda, while Asiimwe, who was born in England to Ugandan parents, has also committed his international future to the Cranes.
Their involvement against Tunisia provides an early indication of how FUFA’s heritage recruitment programme is already influencing Paul Put’s squad as Uganda builds towards AFCON 2027.
FUFA intends to use the ongoing AFCON 2027 qualifiers to assess potential additions and build cohesion ahead of the tournament Uganda will co-host with Kenya and Tanzania.
Among the players currently being followed is Sint-Truiden midfielder Abdoulaye Sissako, who was born in France and previously represented the country at U18 and U19 level.
FUFA says Sissako qualifies through his grandmother, Sakona, who was born in Kampala, while his parents were born in Mali.
Former Nigeria youth goalkeeper Akpan David Udoh is another name on the federation’s radar after winning the 2015 FIFA U17 World Cup with Nigeria with the likes of Samuel Chukwueze currently at AC Milan and Galatasaray’s Victor Osimhen.
Udoh, currently with Mosta FC in Malta, is eligible through a grandparent, Auma, who was born in Busia.
Rakow Czestochowa defensive midfielder Dieudonne Gaucho Debohi, Switzerland-based left-back Souleyman Diaby and Beerschot forward Vula Arnold are also being pursued.
Debohi qualifies through his maternal grandmother from Majanji, while Diaby’s maternal grandfather originates from Masaka and Arnold has family roots in Pakwach.
Austria Vienna striker Kelvin Owusu Boateng and Sweden-based goalkeeper Kingdom Osayi are among the other heritage players identified by FUFA.
Boateng was born to Ghanaian parents but qualifies through a Ugandan-born grandparent, while Osayi’s maternal grandmother was born in Kaberamaido.
FUFA says documentation and engagement with the remaining identified players is continuing as it seeks to expand Uganda’s selection pool.
The federation confirmed that 9 of the 20 shortlisted players had joined the Cranes camp in Kampala before the team travelled to Hoima.
Uganda are preparing to face Libya in their second AFCON 2027 qualifier on September 29th at the Hoima City Stadium before international friendlies against DR Congo during the same FIFA window.