Barring the necessary protocols that are to be followed by all sports bodies in Uganda as ordered by the National Council of Sports (NCS), the Uganda Cricket Association (UCA) has stepped up its gear for transformation into Cricket Uganda. This transformation has entered its blanket marketing phase – rolled out in a clinical and eye-catching manner – continuing with the unveiling of a new national team jersey.
The new kit was officially unveiled during a photoshoot on the shores of Lake Victoria in Luzira, a
location symbolic of Uganda’s heritage and sustenance. Lake Victoria is not only the world’s largest tropical lake but also a lifeline for millions of Ugandans, serving as a hub for food, trade, water transport, and culture. This iconic backdrop was chosen to anchor the jersey in the country’s natural identity.
Design Inspiration
The jersey has the future name Cricket Uganda boldly emblazoned across it, symbolizing the new era. It is primarily yellow with subtle lemon accents, while the sleeves feature Uganda’s national colours – black, yellow, and red. The kit is completed with partner branding from LycaMobile, the team’s principal financier, on both sleeves and trousers.
What makes this jersey unique is the deep cultural symbolism embedded in the design.
• Wildlife & Nature: Subtle drawings capture Uganda’s beauty – the mountain ranges, silverback gorillas, elephants, buffaloes, kobs, white rhinos, long-horned cattle, and the iconic crested crane soaring on the chest.
• Landmarks: The Jinja Nile Bridge, Uganda’s modern engineering pride, also features.
• Heritage: The blend of traditional and modern symbols makes the jersey a multilayered homage to Uganda’s identity as the Pearl of Africa.
Voices Behind the Jersey
Elijah Mangeni Wanyama – Jersey Designer
“The sleeves display the national colours, while the jersey itself carries subtle drawings of some icons of Uganda’s beauty. From the mountain ranges, to wildlife like the silverback gorillas, elephants, buffaloes, kobs, crested crane, and the Jinja Nile bridge, this jersey is intended to showcase some of the things that make us who we are – the Pearl of Africa.”
“The inspiration for us to design new kits was to mark the entry into a new World Cup cycle for both the Cricket Cranes and the Victoria Pearls. The Pearls are at the Africa Finals chasing a third global qualifier, while the Cranes prepare for another World Cup shot in Zimbabwe. We needed a design that embodies the character of both teams and symbolizes who we are as a nation. Our pride, our nature, our gorillas, our mountains – everything that is Uganda. We hope when players wear this jersey, they feel Ugandan-ness going through them, inspiring performances with pride.”
On-Field Debut
The Victoria Pearls will debut the new kit tomorrow at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier (Finals) in Windhoek, Namibia when they face Tanzania. The Cricket Cranes, who wore a seemingly similar stripe at the World Cup in the West Indies last year, will don the same kit later this year as they head to Zimbabwe for their qualifiers.
About UCA’s Transformation
This jersey launch is part of UCA’s rebranding journey into Cricket Uganda, a bold step towards modernizing the sport’s image in the country and internationally. The blanket marketing phase is designed to ensure fans, players, and stakeholders embrace the new identity with pride
