Cricket Uganda unveil Legend Steve Tikolo as New Cricket Cranes Head Coach

Entebbe, Uganda – March 13, 2026

Cricket Uganda has officially unveiled former Kenyan international Steve Tikolo as the new head coach of the senior men’s national team, the Cricket Cranes, following a rigorous global recruitment process that attracted more than 75 applicants from across the cricketing world.

Tikolo, one of Africa’s most decorated cricketers, has put pen to paper for a three-year deal, and this will be his third coaching stint with Uganda, having previously served as batting coach from 2012–2013 and head coach from 2016–2019.

He replaces Abhay Sharma of India, whose tenure ended in October last year.

The appointment concludes a five-month search period during which Assistant Coach Jackson Ogwang stepped in to temporarily guide the team while Cricket Uganda conducted an extensive recruitment process to identify the most suitable candidate to lead the next phase of the national team’s development.

Global Recruitment Process

The search for a new head coach began on January 26 and generated significant international interest, with more than 75 applicants from at least 14 countries submitting applications for the prestigious role.

Countries represented in the initial pool included South Africa, India, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Scotland, Kenya, Zimbabwe, West Indies, the United Kingdom, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates and Bangladesh, among others.

Following the initial screening phase, 10 candidates were shortlisted for the next stage of evaluation.

The shortlist represented a diverse cross-section of global cricketing expertise.

Shortlisted candidates then participated in virtual panel interviews via Zoom, where they presented their coaching philosophies, strategic plans for the national team, and approaches to building a sustainable, high-performance environment for Uganda.

The interview panel consisted of five representatives from Cricket Uganda, including the Acting Chief Executive Officer and officials from the High Performance and Operations departments.

“My goal was to take the team to the World Cup, but that didn’t happen. For me, that is unfinished business with the Cricket Cranes because I played at the World Cup and I would love to take Uganda there as a coach now.”

The new head coach also highlighted ODI status and World Cup qualification as immediate objectives.

“I left the team in a good space, and the coaches that came in did well to take the team to the World Cup,” he added.

“I am also looking at the One Day International (ODI) status for Uganda – we have got to give it a good go. These are the immediate KPIs I have set for myself.”

Distinguished Playing & Coaching Career

Tikolo brings to Uganda one of the most distinguished cricket resumes in African cricket history.

Coaching Career

Head Coach & High Performance Manager – Nigeria (2022–2026)
Head Coach – Tanzania (2020–2021)
Head Coach – Uganda (2016–2019)
Head Coach – Kenya (2014–2015)
Head Coach – Kenya U-19 (2013)
Batting Coach – Uganda (2012–2013)

Playing Career

135 ODIs – 3,428 runs, 3 centuries, 24 half-centuries, 94 wickets
62 First-Class matches – 4,728 runs, 11 centuries, 26 half-centuries
15 T20 Internationals – 345 runs and 12 wickets

He also represented Kenya at five ICC Cricket World Cups (1996, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011) and captained the national team from 2002 to 2009, famously leading them to the semi-finals of the 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup in South Africa.

The legendary ace also played cricket as a professional player for clubs in the United Kingdom, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Bangladesh.

Immediate Assignment: Namibia Tour

Tikolo will immediately swing into action, joining the team as they depart on Monday morning for a five-match international tour to Windhoek, Namibia, scheduled for March 16–26.

The tour will see Uganda face Namibia and Namibia A in two T20 matches and three 50-over fixtures.

UGANDA’S TOUR OF NAMIBIA
Tour Fixtures

March 18: T20 vs Namibia A
March 19: T20 vs Namibia A
March 21: 50 Overs vs Namibia
March 23: 50 Overs vs Namibia
March 25: 50 Overs vs Namibia A

The series will provide Tikolo with an important early opportunity to reconnect with the squad, evaluate player development and begin shaping the team’s tactical direction ahead of a demanding international calendar.

Squad For Namibia Tour

The Cricket Cranes squad for the tour includes:

Riazat Ali Shah (Captain), Robinson Obuya, Simon Ssesazi, Anas Mirza Baig, Kenneth Waiswa, Cyrus Kakuru, Charles Musemeza, Juma Miyaji, Cosmas Kyewuta, Bilal Hassun, Henry Ssenyondo, Joseph Baguma, Mathew Musinguzi and Gerald Olipa.

Building Towards Major International Targets

The Namibia tour marks the start of Uganda’s 2026 international season, which carries two major strategic objectives:

Qualification for One Day International (ODI) status through the ICC Cricket World Cup Challenge League B in Dar es Salaam in August.

Qualification for the 2028 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup through the Africa Sub-Regional Qualifiers scheduled for Nigeria in October.

With Tikolo’s appointment, Cricket Uganda believes the Cricket Cranes now have the leadership and expertise required to push the national team to the next level in global cricket.

As Uganda prepares for a crucial year of international competition, the return of one of Africa’s most respected cricketing sons signals the beginning of a bold and ambitious new chapter for the Cricket Cranes.