Uganda’s national men’s cricket team, the Cricket Cranes, will head to India this month for a historic tour of Mumbai as part of a new strategic partnership between Cricket Uganda (CU) and the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA).
The tour, scheduled for May 16-31, will see Uganda play five 50-over matches and three T20 games against top opposition in what will be the Cricket Cranes’ first-ever tour to Mumbai.
More importantly, the tour offers national team selectors and coaches an opportunity to assess a refreshed squad ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup Challenge League B in Tanzania.
Returning wicketkeeper-batsman Fred Achelam has been handed the captaincy as he makes his return to the national team setup alongside experienced batsman Ronald Lutaaya and off-spinner Siraje Nsubuga.
Achelam’s return adds experience and leadership to the side, while Lutaaya’s inclusion strengthens Uganda’s batting options after time away from the senior fold.
The squad also features exciting new talent with former Uganda U-19 captain Fahad Mutagana earning his maiden senior national team call-up. Pace bowler Enock Kasaija has also been rewarded with his first invitation to the Cricket Cranes setup following impressive performances at domestic level.
Uganda have retained a strong core of experienced players including Simon Ssesazi, Dinesh Nakrani, Alpesh Ramjani and Henry Ssenyondo, all expected to play key roles during the demanding tour.
All-rounder Nakrani and spin-bowling star Ramjani are expected to provide balance to the squad, while Ssesazi will once again be relied upon at the top of the order.
Assistant coach Jackson Ogwang believes the Mumbai tour comes at the perfect time for Uganda as they continue preparations for the Challenge League in Tanzania.
“This is a good opportunity for us to play some good quality international cricket and test ourselves against the best in the world,” Ogwang said.
“It will help us prepare for the Challenge League in Tanzania. We are going to play against good teams and it is going to be a tough but good challenge in Mumbai.”
The tour is part of a wider five-year Memorandum of Understanding set to be signed later this month between Cricket Uganda and the Mumbai Cricket Association.
The partnership will focus on strengthening high-performance structures, creating sustainable player pathways, expanding international playing opportunities and promoting women’s cricket.
Cricket Uganda chairman Jackson Kavuma described the partnership as a major step forward for Ugandan cricket and thanked ICC chairman Jay Shah and MCA president Ajinkya Naik for supporting the initiative.
Uganda’s touring squad to Mumbai:
Fred Achelam (captain), Simon Ssesazi, Charles Musemeza, Ronald Lutaaya, Gerald Olipa, Anas Baig Mirza, Fahad Mutagana, Juma Miyaji, Cosmas Kyewuta, Joseph Baguma, Henry Ssenyondo, Siraje Nsubuga, Enock Kasaija, Dinesh Nakrani, Raghav Dhawan and Alpesh Ramjani.
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