Cricket Uganda has named an exciting, youthful and balanced Cricket Cranes squad for a pivotal build-up tour to Namibia from March 16–26, officially ushering in Uganda’s 2026 international season with renewed ambition and high expectations.
The tour will see Uganda play five competitive matches, including two Twenty20 fixtures against Namibia A and three 50-over contests, two of which will be against Namibia’s senior side, the Eagles, fresh from representing Africa at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
The level of opposition is expected to provide exactly the kind of challenge Uganda need as they prepare for a demanding year on two major fronts: qualification contention for One Day International status at the ICC Cricket World Cup Challenge League B in August in Dar es Salaam, and a push toward the 2028 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup through the Africa Sub-Regional Qualifiers in Nigeria in October.
Uganda head into the Challenge League B leg unbeaten on 18 points, two clear of Italy, and will be targeting at least three victories to secure a top-two finish and continue their progression along the 2027 ODI World Cup qualification pathway.
According to Head of High Performance and Pathways Richard Okia, who also serves as a national selector, the Namibia tour comes at the right moment in the team’s development. He noted that Namibia will offer a stern test as Uganda seek to push into the ODI frame while simultaneously building toward the regional T20 qualifiers later in the year.
The selected squad, he explained, reflects an intention to widen the national talent pool without sacrificing the consistency and form that have underpinned Uganda’s recent success.
Acting head coach Jackson Ogwang underscored that merit, discipline and performance were central to the selection process, stressing that players who maintained high standards and allowed their statistics to speak for them were rewarded. He also welcomed back senior players who have worked their way into contention while reaffirming that those who missed out remain firmly in the selectors’ plans if they continue to perform.
Captain Riazat Ali Shah leads a group that blends experience with promising new blood. The return of Simon Ssesazi, Uganda’s leading T20I run-scorer, adds firepower at the top of the order, while Kenneth Waiswa brings leadership maturity following his stint in the United Kingdom.
Experienced pacer Bilal Hassun is expected to play a pivotal mentoring role for a youthful pace attack that continues to evolve. At the same time, three players have earned senior debuts as recognition for sustained domestic excellence. Charles Musemeza has quietly built a reputation over the past two seasons for consistent batting backed by reliable wicketkeeping.
Anas Baig arrives after dominating Uganda’s domestic batting charts, having finished as the leading run-scorer in last season’s league before carrying that form into the Waterfalls Elite League and national trials, continuing a proud family legacy established by his father, former Cricket Cranes captain Akbar Baig.
Gerald Olipa, captain of the Baby Cricket Cranes, steps up after an outstanding campaign in which he was named Most Valuable Player of the Waterfalls Elite League, amassing 228 runs including three half-centuries, and further enhancing a growing reputation as one of Uganda’s brightest prospects, following in the footsteps of his elder brother Rogers Olipa, a former U-19 and senior international.
The full squad for the Namibia tour comprises Riazat Ali Shah (captain), Robinson Obuya, Simon Ssesazi, Anas Mirza Mirza Baig, Kenneth Waiswa, Cyrus Kakuru, Charles Musemeza, Juma Miyaji, Cosmas Kyewuta, Bilal Hassun, Henry Ssenyondo, Joseph Baguma, Mathew Musinguzi and Gerald Olipa.
Uganda will begin with back-to-back T20 matches against Namibia A on March 18 and 19 before shifting focus to the 50-over format with fixtures against Namibia on March 21 and 23 and a final match against Namibia A on March 25.
