Uganda Hippos: Matia Lule Picks Best 20 For CECAFA Task
Uganda U20 National Team (Hippos) head coach Mathias Lule has named his final 20-man squad for the upcoming AFCON U20 CECAFA Zonal Qualifiers in Tanzania set to take place from October 6th to 20th 2024.
Upto 45 players were called up in the provisional squad, but after vigorous assessment at the FUFA Technical Center, Njeru, 25 have been sent back home, and only 20 will travel with the team to Tanzania.
The team is expected to fly out today (Friday) evening aboard Uganda Airlines.
The selected team has three goalkeepers, six defenders, six midfielders, and five forwards with defender Toto Majub named as captain.
Initially, six goalkeepers were summoned, but three, including Aziz Saleh (Bukedea Comprehensive), Etuta Siraje (SMASK) and Adrian Isabirye (BUL FT JT) have been dropped.
Hafidhu Ssonko (Amus College), Vincent Mulema (Mbale Heroes), Peter Abalirya (Amus College), Hakim Wandera (Express), Isa Glory Kisuule (Express), Brian Otim (Amus College), and Simon Mukisa (SC Villa) didn’t make the final six-man list of defenders.
Midfielders Frank Katongole (Vipers), Ramsay Jjemba (Police), Khasim Mustapha (Bright Stars), Blanchar Mulamba (Wakiso Giants), Jean Ogwana (Academia Nationals), Ryan Ahabwe (Bright Stars) and Trophy Tamale (SS Club) have all been dropped.
Of the 13 strikers summoned, eight have been dropped, including; Ronald Kaye (NEC), Henry Tenywa (UPDF), Alex Yiga (KCCA), Abbas Kyeyune (Ceramica Cleopatra), Oscar Mawa (Tritium Calcio), Abubakar Mayanja (KCCA), Fazil Tumwiine (Vipers) and Davis Kakande (Wakiso Giants).
Uganda Hippos, who are also the defending champions of the competition have been drawn in Group B, alongside Ethiopia, Burundi, and South Sudan.
The other Group (A) has five countries, including hosts Tanzania, Sudan, Rwanda Djibouti and Kenya.
The tournament will be played between 6th-20th October, 2024, and Uganda will start with Ethiopia on 7th, before playing Burundi on 9th and finalizing the group stage with South Sudan on 11th.
The top two teams in each one of the two Groups (A and B) will face off in the semi-final to decide the best two, who will have automatically earned a ticket straight to next year’s U20 AFCON.
Uganda Hippos Final Squad for AFCON U20 Zonal Qualifiers:
Goalkeepers:
Magada Abdu – URA FC (Goalkeeper)Nsubuga Chris Ronald – Kataka FC (Goalkeeper)Mugerwa Denis – Vipers SC JT (Goalkeeper)
Defenders:
Namaisi Steven – Kataka FC (Defender)Batibwe Charles Okello – Gaddafi FC (Defender)Mpasa Swabiru – BUL FC (Defender)Toto Majub Brian – Amus College School (Defender/Captain)Lwenda Sowedi – BUL FC (Defender)Anguti Amagu Louis – Coastal Union FC (Defender)
Midfielders:
Kizito Rayan Figo – Police FCKisolo Innocent – URA FC/ Bukedea Comprehensive SS (Midfielder)Ssekibengo Godfrey –URA FC/ Bukedea Comprehensive SS (Midfielder)Ssekajugo Elvis – Express FC/ Bukedea Comprehensive SS (Midfielder)Walusimbi Abubakar – Vipers SC (Midfielder)Oyirwoth Allan – Brooke House College and Academy (Midfielder)
Strikers:
Okello Richard – BUL FC Junior Team (Forward)Bashir Mansur – Amus College School (Forward)Kabagambe Johnson – URA FC (Forward)Kisiriko Denis – URA FC (Forward)Ddembe John Paul – BK Hacken, Sweden(Forward)
Team Officials:
Head of Delegation: Samuel MpiimaHead Coach: Matia LuleAssistant Coach: Simeon MassaGoalkeeping Coach: Stephen Billy KiggunduTrainer: Noah KasuleTeam Manager/Safeguarding Officer: Bashir MutyabaTeam Doctor: Michael GumisirizaPhysiotherapist: Rashid KebbaKit Manager: Frank BumpenjeMedia Officer: Ronald Lusulire
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Ugandan Citizen Abducted, Held in Secret Detention for Three Months, Sparks Outrage and Calls for Justice
A disturbing new case of unlawful detention has surfaced, highlighting the ongoing human rights crisis in Uganda. A Ugandan citizen was reportedly abducted and held in a secret facility, known as a “safe house,” for three months, only to be released without charge or explanation. This incident, reported by NTV Uganda, has sparked widespread condemnation and renewed calls for accountability regarding human rights abuses in the country.
While the details surrounding the abduction remain unclear, reports indicate that the individual was taken without due process and held incommunicado—an action that has long been condemned by human rights organizations. The victim’s release, with no charges filed and no clear justification, has angered activists and citizens, who view this as yet another case of egregious abuse of power by the state.
“This is a recurring pattern,” said one human rights activist. “Abductions, secret detentions, and unexplained releases have become all too common in Uganda. These acts violate fundamental human rights and erode public trust in the justice system.”
The use of “safe houses,” unregistered detention facilities reportedly operated by security forces, has been a focal point in numerous allegations of torture and illegal imprisonment. Despite repeated calls from both local and international organizations for their closure and accountability for those involved, little action has been taken to address these violations.
This case underscores the urgent need for reform within Uganda’s security apparatus and greater accountability for human rights abuses. Observers hope that drawing attention to these injustices will spur concrete action to bring those responsible to justice and ensure the protection of basic human rights.
As frustration mounts, calls for both domestic and international pressure to hold the government accountable for such crimes grow louder. “One day, there must be accountability for all these crimes against our people,” stated one social media user, reflecting the sentiments of many Ugandans.
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NUP Gathering Disrupted: Kyagulanyi Alleges Security Force Harassment and Arrests
National Unity Platform (NUP) President Robert Kyagulanyi has accused Ugandan security forces of using excessive force to disrupt a planned NUP gathering. The allegations were detailed in a statement shared on Twitter, following an event held to honor children of NUP supporters who were killed, disappeared, or detained for their political beliefs.
According to Kyagulanyi, security personnel, under the command of an officer identified as Asiimwe, carried out a preemptive operation early in the morning upon learning of the NUP’s plans. The forces allegedly stormed the premises, arrested workers, and deployed tear gas to disperse those present.
“The criminals under the command of one Asiimwe deployed early morning, arrested our workers, and threw tear gas into our premises. They’ve cordoned off the premises and blocked all people from accessing the place,” Kyagulanyi wrote.
Among those reportedly arrested were Saava Peter, Mudenya Samson, and Turyasingura Samson. Kyagulanyi claimed the detained workers were subjected to beatings and interrogated about their political affiliations, with security operatives labeling them as terrorists.
“These JATT operatives asked the workers who they support politically, branding them terrorists and criminals—their only crime being that they work with us. You can imagine the indignity!” Kyagulanyi lamented.
This incident adds to the growing tension in Uganda’s political climate, where opposition parties frequently accuse the government of stifling dissent. Despite the challenges, Kyagulanyi ended his statement with a message of defiance and optimism, proclaiming, “UGANDA WILL BE FREE.”
NUP Gathering Disrupted: Kyagulanyi Alleges Security Force Harassment and Arrests
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Sudan Demands Apology from Uganda Over Army Chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s Threat to Invade Khartoum
Sudan has demanded an official apology from Uganda over “offensive and dangerous” comments made by the chief of Uganda army staff, who threated to invade Khartoum, the Sudan Tribune has reported.
General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, son of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and CDF of the Ugandan army, posted two comments on the X platform on Tuesday in which he threatened “to capture Khartoum” with the support of the US President elect Donald Trump after he takes office. The posts were deleted later.
“The government of Sudan demands and official apology from the Ugandan government for the offensive and dangerous comments of the army commander,” Sudan’s foreign ministry said in a statement that the Sudan Tribune said it has seen.
Sudan Demands Apology from Uganda Over Army Chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s Threat to Invade Khartoum