Midfielders Michael Azira and Kizito Luwagga together with striker Derrick Nsibambi are some of the new faces Cranes’ coach Sebastien Desabre named in his 26 man squad ahead of the 2019 Total Africa Cup of Nations

The team also has defender Ronald Mukiibi (Ostersunds-Sweden) and striker Alexis Bakka (Carlstad United- Sweden), the former failed to make the grade for the finals two years ago.

Mukiibi has been one of most consistent players at Ostersunds, both domestically and on the continent and there is no doubt that he will impose himself.

Azira and Luwagga were at the finals in Gabon, then Nsibambi was part of the three players on standby much as he was a favourite for the coach at the time Micho Sredejovic.

Four goalkeepers have been named; Denis Onyango (Mamelodi Sundowns-South Africa), Jamal Salim (Al Hilal-Sudan), Robert Odongkara (Adama City FC-Ethiopia), Charles Lukwago (KCCA FC-Uganda).

Lukwago will, however, link up with the team after the COSAFA Championship in South Africa, it’s not clear whether he will make the final 23 man squad, he faces stiff competition from Ondongkara and Salim.

Part of the Cranes will leave Uganda on May 27th for a three weeks camp in Abu Dhabi where the rest of the players will link up with them before going to Egypt ahead of their June 22nd AFCON opener against DR Congo.

But before their departure from the UAE, the Cranes will play a series of friendly, one that is already confirmed is the June 15th tie against Ivory Coast.

Kirizestom Ntambi (Coffee FC –Ethiopia) who played the last group qualifier against Tanzania returns together with Allan Kateregga (Maritzburg-South Africa).

Goalkeepers: Denis Onyango (Mamelodi Sundowns-South Africa), Jamal Salim (Al Hilal-Sudan), Robert Odongkara (Adama City FC-Ethiopia), Charles Lukwago (KCCA FC-Uganda).

Defenders: Bevis Mugabi (Yeovil Town- England), Nicholas Wadada (Azam FC-Tanzania), Awanyi Timothy (KCCA FC-Uganda), Hassan Wasswa Mawanda (Unattached), Ronald Mukiibi (Ostersunds-Sweden), Murushid Juuko (Simba-Tanzania), Godfrey Walsumbi (Unattached), Muleme Isaac ( FK Viktoria Zizkov- Czech Republic), Joseph Ochaya (TP Mazembe-DR Congo),

Midfielders: Tadeo Lwanga (Vipers SC-Uganda), Khalid Aucho (Church Hill Brothers Fc-India), Kirizestom Ntambi- Coffee FC –Ethiopia), Michael Azira (Montreal-USA), Waisswa Moses (Vipers SC-Uganda), Sadam Juma (KCCA FC-Uganda), Faruku Miya (HNK Gorica FC- Croatia), Kizito Luwagga (Shakhter Karagandy-Kazakhstan), Emmanuel Okwi (Simba SC-Tanzania), Allan Kateregga ( Maritzburg-South Africa)

Strikers: Patrick Kaddu (KCCA FC-Uganda), Allan Kyambadde (KCCA FC-Uganda), Alexis Bakka (Carlstad United- Sweden), Nsibambi Derrick (Smouha- Egypt), Abdul Lumala (Syrianska FC – Sweden)