KAMPALA – March 24. Cricket Cranes pace bowler Innocent Mwebaze safely arrived in India this week to begin a structured rehabilitation program at the Omtex ICWC Cricket Institute as part of efforts to manage a recurring lower-back injury that has stalled his progress.
The 22-year-old fast bowler, widely regarded as one of Uganda’s promising pace prospects, will undergo an intensive two-month rehabilitation programme at the high-performance facility in Maharashtra under the supervision of specialist sports physiotherapists.
Mwebaze, who has struggled with chronic lumbar pain linked to his bowling action, will undergo a carefully designed recovery plan focusing on spinal control, strength development, and biomechanical correction.
Structured recovery path
The programme will involve phased rehabilitation, beginning with pain management and spinal stability before gradually reintroducing bowling workloads and technical adjustments.
The rehabilitation aims to:
- Restore spinal strength and confidence
- Correct bowling mechanics
- Safely return him to competitive cricket
Perfect Reception. Mwebaze is received by Omtex ICWC Cricket Institute officials, including director Vijay Patel (L) and Kunal Patel (R) marking the start of his rehabilitation programme.
Warm welcome in India
Upon arrival, Mwebaze was received by Omtex ICWC Cricket Institute Director Vijay Patel, alongside Kunal Patel, physiotherapist Harshit Jain and expatriate coach Tamuno John Harry from Nigeria, marking the beginning of a crucial phase in his career recovery.
The institute will provide full support including accommodation, nutrition, and daily rehabilitation, training, and recovery sessions.
Departure Scenes. Innocent Mwebaze departs Entebbe International Airport en route to India for a two-month rehabilitation programme at Omtex ICWC Cricket Institute.
Grateful player
Mwebaze expressed deep appreciation to Cricket Uganda for facilitating the programme:
“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Cricket Uganda for sponsoring my journey to Omtex for my back injury rehabilitation program.”
“This opportunity means a great deal to me. It has given me hope, strength, and the chance to fully recover and return stronger.”
“I am committed to making the most of this program and coming back fit to represent Uganda with pride.”
Investment in the future
Cricket Uganda’s Head of High Performance, Richard Okia, emphasized the importance of long-term player welfare:
“Innocent is very much part of our national setup. He has been backup to our frontline and strike bowlers and we see him as one for the future.”
“Taking him to India shows our commitment to ensuring players enjoy long and productive careers.”
Looking ahead
Mwebaze’s rehabilitation marks a key step in Uganda’s broader high-performance strategy, with the aim of building a deeper, healthier, and more competitive player pool. If successful, the programme could see him return stronger and ready to compete for a place alongside the Cricket Cranes’ frontline pace attack.
MWEBAZE – AT A GLANCE
Name: Innocent Mwebaze
Nickname: Inno
Date of Birth: August 24, 2003
Age: 22
Role: Bowler
Batting Style: Right-hand bat
Bowling Style: Right-arm medium-fast
Jersey Number: 76
Cricketing Idol: Dale Steyn
Career Snapshot:
T20Is: 2 matches, 1 wicket
T20s: 6 matches, 10 wickets
Best Bowling: 6/24
Known for: Raw pace, potential, and work-in-progress action
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