Shortly after the conclusion of the Annual Boys’ Schools Cricket Week, 30 of Uganda’s most promising U19 cricketers converged in Fort Portal City for an intensive 10-day High Performance Camp.
Held at the historic Nyakasura School, the camp aimed to sharpen the players’ technical, tactical, and mental abilities ahead of key international tournaments, including the U19 World Cup Qualifier next year.
The camp was a timely and strategic intervention by the High-Performance team at Uganda Cricket Association (UCA), following a string of recent disappointments.
Despite Uganda’s proud history of three U19 World Cup appearances—the most recent in 2022 in the West Indies—the team failed to qualify in the 2023 edition held in Dar es Salaam.
Earlier this year, they suffered further setbacks with relegation to Division Two in the Nigeria qualifier. These outcomes underscored the urgent need for renewed focus on youth development.
A Transformative Experience
The camp provided a high-intensity environment designed not only to develop skills, but also to instil discipline, resilience, and leadership.
Players participated in rigorous training sessions, team-building activities, and match simulations, all aimed at bridging the gap between potential and performance.
According to Richard Okia, Head of High Performance at UCA, the camp was more than just a training exercise—it was a milestone in Uganda’s cricket development journey:
“The UCA U19 Boys Camp was a tremendous success. We saw exceptional growth in both skill and mindset across all players, and more importantly, a strong foundation laid for the future of Uganda Cricket. With the level of commitment and talent we witnessed, I’m confident we are not just preparing athletes for the next game, but building leaders for the next generation.”
Key Outcomes of the Camp
- Boosted Player Confidence: Individual attention and targeted training helped players believe in their abilities and take ownership of their development.
- Stronger Team Cohesion: Off-field bonding activities fostered unity and camaraderie, essential for team success at high-stakes tournaments.
- Increased Tactical Awareness: Coaches were able to gain deeper insights into each player’s strengths and areas needing improvement, allowing for more personalized mentorship.
The camp was led by newly appointed U19 Head Coach Grace Mutyagaba, supported by two development coaches Samuel Baker Oyet and Baraka Turyamwesimira.
Their collective experience and vision brought new energy to the Baby Cricket Cranes’ setup.
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Notably, students from host institution Nyakasura School were included in the camp, offering them a rare and valuable opportunity to train alongside top U19 players from across the country.
As the camp drew to a close, a series of intra-squad practice matches were held to test progress and simulate competitive scenarios. These matches served as a final assessment tool for coaches and an opportunity for players to showcase what they had learned.
Full Squad List:
Abdul Shakul Doka, Samuel Ahaisibwe, Enoch Muwanguzi, Griffin Rubangakene, Ryan Agaba, Juma Ssenyondo, Patel Devansh, Darren Ampaire, Philemon Rwothomio, Amos Luhakana, Eric Odouch, Ben Solomon Mulindwa, Kenneth Isiko, Divya Valani, Jackson Asiku, Tonny Opiyo, Daniel Pity, Dan Rubangakene, Abubakar Tigatola, Joel Okoth, Elvis Chombe, Paul Asasiira, Stephen Aliganyira, Swale Gaddafi, Elvis Ayella, Leonard Oketayot, Daniel Maate, Jonathan Ayebare, Derrick Nyakahuma, Norman Musimenta, Zeid Badrudin.
Looking Ahead
The success of the U19 High Performance Camp is a testament to UCA’s commitment to long-term player development.
With renewed focus, structured support, and inspired leadership, Uganda’s cricketing future is being built from the ground up—one camp, one player, and one performance at a time.