The long wait is over.
This Saturday marks the return of the Cricket Uganda Men’s 50 Over League 2026, with clubs across the Gold, Silver, and Bronze categories ready to set the tone for what promises to be a fiercely competitive 2026 season.
With new identities, fresh signings, relegated giants, and ambitious debutants all stepping onto the field, Matchday One already carries significant narrative weight.
SATURDAY – FEBRUARY 28th, 2026
Nile vs St. John’s Mukono – Lugogo Cricket Oval (Silver Category)
Nile Cricket Club and St. John’s Mukono meet for the very first time in league history in a fresh Silver Category contest at Lugogo.
Nile narrowly missed out on promotion last season and will be desperate to begin this campaign with authority.
However, they will navigate the season without several key players.
The club has confirmed that Ronald Lutaaya, Robert Arjuna, Emmanuel Sebowa, and Suleman Mwebaze will not feature this year.
There is a boost in the likely return of Adam Huzaifa, who featured for Jinja SS last season, while much of Nile’s core remains intact.
For St. John’s Mukono, this is another chapter in their steady development of school-based talent.
They will be without Daniel Rubangakene and Emmanuel Laloyo, both of whom have moved on to different clubs.
Despite those departures, the schoolboys will rely on youthful energy and cohesion as they test themselves against an experienced Nile outfit.
Wanderers vs Soroti City – Serenity Oval, Kamengo (Silver Category)
Relegated last season, Wanderers begin life in the Silver Category with a dramatically reshaped squad.
In a clear shift toward rebuilding, the club released over ten players ahead of the new season, including Joseph Byaruhanga, Abdul Basit, Jaffer Ochaya, Abu Seguya, Wasim Butt, Abrar Ul Haq, Hitesh Prajapati, Fred Achelam, Tatenda Memory, Musa Majid, Suleman Sharif, and Perry Wazombe.
The overhaul signals a development-focused approach as Wanderers attempt to regroup and build sustainably in the second tier but announce the additions of Julius Okema and Edward Mugwanya, both products of PUSH Cricket Academy as their idea is to mentor them.
.
Soroti City, meanwhile, have retained much of their structure from last season.
With greater continuity in their ranks, Soroti may enter this historic first-ever meeting with slightly more stability, while Wanderers seek a statement performance to launch their redemption campaign.
Centurions vs Mukono Development – Florida Cricket Oval (Bronze Category)
Formerly known as Budo Cricket Club, Centurions begin a new era under a new identity as they face Mukono Development for the first time in Bronze A category.
Mukono Development will be without last season’s captain Fahad Mutagana, who moved to Mukono Warriors, as well as Kassim Adam, currently unattached.
Centurions, on the other hand, appear poised for a promotion push.
Their recruitment has been deliberate and ambitious, bringing in Tembo Arnold Zubair from Rounders, Fred Achelam from Wanderers, and Brian Mark Masaba from Rounders.
With intent clearly declared, they will view this opener as a chance to lay down an early marker.
Centurion A vs Iganga – GM Sugar Oval (Bronze Category)
Centurion A, a newly formed side largely made up of players who remained after the Budo rebrand, make their league debut against fellow newcomers Iganga in Bronze B category.
Iganga enter the competition with a youthful core drawn mainly from secondary schools such as Bukoyo SS and Budini SS.
The side is largely composed of players who were surplus to requirements at JACC following that club’s rise to the top flight.
Adding valuable experience is former JACC captain John Lukwita, whose leadership could prove pivotal in tight moments.
With both sides stepping into uncharted territory, composure and adaptability may define this contest.
SUNDAY – MARCH 1st, 2026
Tornado Bees vs Ceylon Lions – Lugogo Cricket Oval (Gold Category)
One of the standout fixtures of the opening weekend sees Tornado Bees host Ceylon Lions in a compelling Gold Category clash.
Last season in the 2025 Divison one, Ceylon Lions finished second with nine wins from fourteen matches, underlining their consistency with both bat and ball.
They narrowly defeated Tornado Bees by nine runs in their second meeting, while the first encounter was abandoned due to rain.
Tornado Bees endured a rollercoaster campaign, finishing sixth with five wins, but showed their ability to upset stronger sides, including a notable victory over JACC.
They will, however, be without Gerald Olipa, who has moved to Mukono Warriors.
Ceylon Lions also face availability concerns, with uncertainty surrounding Robinson Obuya, Charles Musemeza, and Collins Abong.
Even so, their established structure makes them slight favorites on paper—though Tornado’s unpredictability makes this far from straightforward.
Jinja SS vs Premier – Jinja SS Cricket Oval (Bronze Category)
In Bronze A category Jinja SS and Premier renew their rivalry in a fixture that has historically tilted toward the school side, including the most recent league meeting where Jinja SS were awarded victory following a Premier forfeit.
Jinja SS continue to rely heavily on their school-based core, maintaining their identity as a development powerhouse.
Premier, seasoned campaigners in domestic cricket, will be without former Uganda U19 player Devansh Patel, who has joined Kifaru.
His absence removes experience from their batting unit, and others will need to step into leadership roles quickly.
Avengers vs Ismaili – Serenity Oval, Kamengo (Silver Category)
Relegated from Division One last season, Avengers begin their Silver Category campaign against Ismaili Community in what will be their first-ever 50-over meeting.
Their only previous encounter came in last year’s UG20 semifinal, where Ismaili defeated Avengers by 12 runs in a tightly contested match at Entebbe.
There is added intrigue this time: Pius Oloka has crossed from Avengers to Ismaili and will face his former teammates immediately.
Ismaili have also added Juma Miyaji from Ceylon Lions.
However, they will be without captain Riazat Ali Shah, who is currently unavailable, though most of their core remains intact.
For Avengers, this opener is about resetting standards after relegation.
For Ismaili, it is a chance to assert themselves early with strengthened depth.
Africa Cricket Club vs Kifaru – Florida Oval (Bronze Category)
In Bronze Group B, Africa Cricket Club who did not feature in last year’s 50-over competition but only played the UG T20 face league debutants Kifaru.
Africa continue to operate largely as a school-based development side, predominantly drawing players from Mukono schools.
They will be without Julius Okema, who moved to Wanderers.
Kifaru make their entrance bolstered by the signing of Devansh Patel from Premier.
The former Uganda U19 player brings pedigree and could be central to shaping Kifaru’s early identity in the competition.
GM Sugar vs JACC – GM Sugar Oval (Gold Category)
In the Gold Category, newly promoted GM Sugar host JACC in a historic first top-flight meeting between the two sides.
GM Sugar earned promotion as Division Two champions after defeating Mukono Warriors in last season’s final.
They have strengthened impressively with the additions of Cricket Cranes brothers Henry Ssenyondo and Simon Ssesazi. Notably, Ssenyondo faces his former club JACC in this opener, adding a personal subplot to an already significant contest.
JACC finished third last season, collecting 16 points from 14 matches with eight wins and six losses.
Their squad remains largely unchanged, offering continuity and cohesion.
For GM Sugar, this is an immediate test of their readiness for top-flight cricket.
For JACC, it is an opportunity to assert their credentials and avoid slipping against ambitious newcomers.
FINAL WORD
Match-day One carries more than just opening-day excitement.
Relegated sides seek redemption, promoted teams aim to prove they belong, and new clubs begin writing their histories.
Early points may not define the season but early statements often shape belief.
As the Cricket Uganda Men’s 50 Over League bowls off, the stage is set for a campaign rich in transitions, rivalries, and emerging talent.