Uganda is set to stage the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations alongside Kenya and Tanzania. This means that the team’s place in the finals is already guaranteed, but qualification matches will still provide some tests for the squad. There have been promising glimpses so far, but consistency seems to be an issue.
The tournament runs from 19 June to 17 July 2027 and is branded PAMOJA, a Swahili word meaning ‘together’, reflecting the three countries jointly hosting the competition. It will be the first Africa Cup of Nations jointly hosted by three countries. Uganda’s challenge is to turn the advantages of automatic entry and home support into credible performances against Africa’s strongest teams.
Automatic Qualification Does Not Mean Meaningless Matches
Uganda were drawn in Group H of the qualifying rounds. They were alongside Tunisia, Libya, and Botswana. As co-hosts, results don’t impact their qualification, with only the highest-placed side other than Uganda set to qualify. Other groups see two teams compete to reach the finals.
That allows experimentation for the squad, although results still matter. Uganda began the campaign by drawing 1-1 away to Tunisia on 24 September before defeating Libya 1-0 in Hoima five days later. Those results put the Cranes top of Group H with four points after two matches, and you can be sure that training will be focused on keeping this lead.
The Tunisia Draw Showed Uganda Can Respond
Looking back at Uganda’s opener in Rades, it all got off to a bad start, with Tunisia taking the lead in the 12th minute. The Cranes stayed in contention throughout and were rewarded with a Rogers Mato equaliser in the 68th minute. This gave the team a vital point away. The assist came from Nathan Asiimwe, while the changes made by Put with substitutions helped to boost the attacking options.
Tunisia have historically troubled Uganda. Recovering from an early deficit demonstrated resilience, although one draw predicts little about the finals. Put still needs his side to create chances regularly rather than rely on isolated moments of quality.
Hoima Victory Offered Another Positive
The match against Libya came on 29 September, with Arnold Vula netting the only goal. Uganda had to wait until stoppage time in the first half to take this lead, with the goal coming on the back of an Allan Okello free kick. Veteran keeper Denis Onyango also proved to be a major part of the side, with numerous saves allowing the team to protect their lead.
The match took place at Hoima City Stadium before the home tournament. Libya created chances, so the clean sheet owed something to Onyango’s interventions as well as the team’s defensive work. The narrow victory also exposed a need for more goals.
Friendlies Against DR Congo Added Evidence
Following the opening qualifiers, Uganda had two friendlies in October, facing DR Congo and Johannesburg. The first match saw Uganda win 2-0, with goals from James Bogere and Kelvin Boateng. The second game came three days later, with a 1-1 draw, and Bogere finding the net again.
That completed four unbeaten matches. Put could also test combinations outside Group H. Friendly results are not identical to tournament performances, but the sequence was a constructive response to Uganda’s disappointing previous AFCON campaign.
Lessons From the Previous AFCON
Back in the 2025 tournament, Uganda made an early exit during the group stage. Their final match was a 3-1 loss against Nigeria, with Mato scoring the only goal for his side. This campaign exposed real issues with the defence, as well as weaknesses up front.
The subsequent improvement should not be exaggerated. The recent unbeaten run included friendlies, while the finals will bring greater pressure and stronger opposition. Uganda need a settled defensive structure and several reliable sources of goals if they hope to progress beyond the group stage at home.
Who Is Competing for Places?
Head Coach, Put, named a 30-man squad for November’s two matches against Botswana. He mixed established internationals with younger overseas-based players. Goalkeepers include Onyango, David Lukwago and Kingdom Osayi, while defenders include Toby Sibbick, Nathan Asiimwe, Kenneth Semakula and Aziizi Kayondo.
In attack, Mato, Okello, Bogere, Boateng and Vula are among the players competing for responsibilities. Mato scored against Tunisia, Vula settled the Libya match, and Bogere scored in both DR Congo friendlies.
Aucho’s Farewell Creates a Midfield Question
After a career spanning 13 years, captain Khalid Aucho announced his international retirement on 12 October. He had racked up 77 caps during his time with Uganda. The Federation of Uganda Football Associations later named him in the November squad for a farewell appearance, but there is now pressure to find a replacement.
Bobosi Byaruhanga, Allan Oyirwoth and other midfield options now have an opportunity to establish themselves. Replacing Aucho involves more than selection. The coaching staff must also decide who sets the tempo, protects the defence and communicates during difficult passages of play.
Botswana Matches Are the Next Checkpoint
Uganda will be hosting Botswana at Hoima City Stadium on 14 November. They will then be playing the return fixture away during the same window. As it stands, Botswana have drawn their first two games, and that means they are two points behind Uganda. These matches will be a real test for Uganda and a chance to measure progress.
Supporters who bet on football may follow results and team news closely, but Uganda’s automatic qualification means these matches carry different stakes from a conventional qualification battle. Put can use the games to assess combinations while Botswana are competing for the group’s remaining finals place. Results will measure readiness for next summer.
Can the Cranes Make Home Advantage Count?
Uganda have made real progress since their previous AFCON exit, with four unbeaten matches and useful contributions from emerging players. Their immediate tasks are to develop consistent attacking play, replace departing leadership and turn promising individual performances into reliable teamwork. The November matches against Botswana offer another chance to address those priorities.
Hosting guarantees Uganda a place on the biggest stage in African football,but not success once the tournament begins. The Cranes still have months to refine their squad before the June 2027 opening match. How effectively Put uses that time will matter far more than the comfort of knowing qualification is already secured.
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