Uganda Cricket Enters Landmark Five-Year Partnership with Mumbai
A new chapter in Ugandan cricket was officially opened in Thane, Maharashtra, as Cricket Uganda and the Mumbai Cricket Association signed a landmark five-year strategic partnership that promises to transform player development, coaching, high-performance structures and international opportunities for years to come.
May 26, 2026 | Thane. Cricket Uganda (CU) and the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) have entered a landmark five-year strategic partnership following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at the iconic Dadoji Konddev Stadium in Thane, Maharashtra.
The historic agreement marks one of the biggest international collaborations ever secured by CU and is expected to transform the country’s high-performance structures through regular international competition, technical exchanges, coaching development and women’s cricket initiatives.
The ceremony was attended by officials from both associations alongside the Mumbai Falcons, Uganda’s senior men’s national team, the Cricket Cranes, who are already the first beneficiaries of the partnership through an eight-match exposure tour across Mumbai.
The current programme has seen Uganda compete in four One-Day matches and four T20 games against various Mumbai Select sides from May 16-31, with MCA facilitating the team’s travel, accommodation and major cricketing logistics.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, MCA President Ajinkya Naik described the partnership as mutually beneficial.
“It is a great opportunity for Mumbai players to play against Uganda. As we prepare for the Mumbai T20 Premier League, playing against an international side is a proud moment for our players. When ICC Chairman Mr Jay Shah requested us, we didn’t hesitate because we believe African cricket is growing strongly.”
Naik added that the doors of Mumbai would always remain open for Uganda.
“Whenever you need us, please come back. We are ready to help. Your players can come here during your off-season and we can support each other, including through staff exchanges. I hope this partnership grows from strength to strength.”
For CU Chairman Jackson Kavuma, the moment represented the culmination of relationships carefully nurtured over several years.
“When I first came here three years ago, it was just a casual relationship. Little did I know it would grow into something this big and something that can take cricket to greater heights.”
“As a Board, we are delighted with this five-year partnership because we believe it will change the mindset of our players and officials, improve our structures and help grow our game. We see this as the beginning of many more opportunities.”’
Kavuma also expressed optimism that Uganda would soon host a Mumbai representative side.
“We look forward to welcoming a Mumbai team to Uganda next year and continuing to strengthen these ties.”
Uganda Cricket Cranes head coach Steve Tikolo, himself a legend of African cricket with five ICC World Cup appearances, said the exposure was invaluable for the players.
“It gives us a lot of pleasure to be here in Mumbai and play this type of cricket. I have played here before and I know how challenging it can be. The positives we are taking from this tour will put us in a very good place for the tournaments we have coming up in the next two months.”
Tikolo praised MCA for creating opportunities that extend beyond a single tour.
“This is the kind of partnership that should never stop. Mumbai can come to Uganda and Uganda can come to Mumbai. Through such exchanges, both sides will definitely get to the next level.”
Cricket Uganda’s Head of High Performance and Pathways, Richard Okia, highlighted the broader vision behind the agreement.
“Our plan is to expose the Under-19s, Under-23s, the senior men’s team and the women’s team. We want to create a holistic environment where every level of our cricket benefits from international exposure.”
Okia also thanked MCA for its hospitality and congratulated Mumbai Falcons for handing the hosts their first victory of the ongoing series.
Tour captain Fred Achelam believes the experience is already bearing fruit.
“As a team, we are really grateful for this opportunity. Win or lose, it is the process that matters. The boys are learning, improving and carrying the momentum forward. We believe this partnership will make us stronger.”
The signing ceremony coincided with another memorable day for the Cricket Cranes, who travelled over three hours to Thane before narrowly losing to Mumbai Falcons by one wicket in a thrilling low-scoring T20 encounter.
The MOU establishes cooperation in several strategic areas including:
• Expanding international playing opportunities for Ugandan national teams.
• Strengthening high-performance systems.
• Developing sustainable player pathways.
• Enhancing coaching and technical expertise.
• Growing women’s cricket.
The agreement will remain in force for five years and represents a major milestone in CU’s ambition of becoming one of the leading Associate cricket nations in the world.
As the Cricket Cranes continue their historic Mumbai tour, the partnership signals that the future of Ugandan cricket extends far beyond the boundary ropes.
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