Kampala | May 22, 2025
Hosted at Lugogo Cricket Oval with the players residing at Kololo Hostel, 25 Uganda U19 boys were invited for a high-performance training camp.
With a busy period ahead for the U19 side, headlined by the ICC U19 Men’s World Cup Division Two Qualifier in August in Kigali, as well as the upcoming High Performance Cup (50 overs) featuring Uganda U19, Rwanda U19, and Uganda Emerging XI, the early assembly was aimed at sharpening skills and building cohesion ahead of the challenge.
A similar boys’ camp was also held last year, reflecting Cricket Uganda’s continued investment in youth development.
Shortly after the Annual Boys’ Schools Cricket Week, 30 of Uganda’s top U19 players gathered in Fort Portal for a 10-day High Performance Camp at Nyakasura School.
That initiative came at a crucial time following recent setbacks, including failure to qualify for the last U19 World Cup and relegation to Division Two earlier last year, highlighting the need to rebuild and strengthen the pathway.
A Transformative Experience
The Lugogo camp focuses on sharpening players’ technical, tactical, and mental abilities ahead of key assignments, particularly this year’s U19 World Cup Qualifier Division Two.
Players are undergoing structured sessions ranging from net practice to simulation matches, with emphasis on adapting from T20 cricket commonly played at school level to the demands of the 50-over format at international level.
Speaking during the camp, Coach Jonathan Ssebanjya emphasized the importance of this transition:
We are looking for the boys to play the 50-over game.
They have been playing a lot of T20 at school, but this is the national team setup and we want to see them transform from T20 to the 50-over format.
Key Outcomes of the Camp
• Format Adaptation: Focus on transitioning players from T20 to the longer 50-over format.
• Tactical Development: Improved game awareness, tempo control, and decision-making.
• Performance Assessment: Ongoing evaluations to identify the best squad for upcoming competitions.
From the 25 players in camp, 16 will be selected for the upcoming practice series scheduled for next week.
The technical team guiding the camp includes Head Coach Jonathan Ssebanjya, Assistant Coach Baraka Turyamwesimira, Physio Habiba Kulusum, and Team Manager Sylvester Rokani.
Full Squad List
Itaagi Larry, Enoch Muwanguzi, Ben Solomon Mulindwa, Felix Ochan, Jackson Asiku, Kenneth Isiko, Rayan Agaba, Zeid Badrudin, Philemon Rwothomio, Hamidu Munigwa, Devansh Patel, Abraiz Ali, Daniel Rubangakene, Tony Opiyo, Richard Sohera, Ronald Rubangakene, Samuel Ahaisibwe, Eric Mukisa, Doka Abdul Shakur, Divya Patel, Het Pindoriya, Daniel Pity, Juma Ssenyondo, Rayan Tendo, Kenneth Ogenrwoth.
Camp Schedule Highlights
The week-long program blends technical training with competitive match scenarios:
- 19th May (Tuesday): Team meeting and net sessions (batting & bowling)
- 20th May (Wednesday): Technical sessions and fielding drills
- 21st May (Thursday): 50-over match vs Uganda A at Entebbe
- 22nd May (Friday): Skills sessions and net practice
- 23rd May (Saturday): U19 Boys A vs U19 Boys B (50 overs)
- 24th May (Sunday): Simulation game and assessments
Looking Ahead
The Lugogo camp represents another important step in Cricket Uganda’s pathway to rebuilding a competitive U19 side.
With structured preparation, focus on the longer format, and a clear selection pathway, the team is laying a solid foundation ahead of regional competition in Kigali and beyond continuing to shape the future of Uganda’s cricket, one camp at a time.