Cricket Uganda (CU) has unveiled an ambitious yet carefully balanced calendar for 2026, signaling a deliberate shift away from short-term pursuit of results toward sustainable success built on strong development pathways, regional expansion and long-term strategic alignment.

After an aggressive 2025 programme that stretched financial and operational resources, the Organisation has opted for a leaner, more focused approach this year—one that tightens spending without sacrificing the future of the game.

A Reset with Purpose

Cricket Uganda has acknowledged that last year’s heavy investment in high-performance activities failed to deliver the desired outcomes, leaving the association financially strained.

The 2026 calendar has therefore been intentionally streamlined, featuring fewer activities but with a sharper emphasis on impact and long-term value.

The largest investment this year is in pathway programmes, particularly at under-19, under-17 and under-15 levels. Rather than relying on a familiar or limited talent pool, CU is deliberately “casting the net wide” to identify and nurture promising young cricketers across the country at an early stage.

Anchored to a Five-Year Vision

The calendar is firmly rooted in Cricket Uganda’s new five-year strategic plan, developed in November last year. “Every scheduled activity is designed to deliver measurable outcomes five years from now, especially in junior development and the depth of national teams.” – said the General Secretary Denis Musali “A central ambition of the strategy is for Uganda’s junior sides to qualify consistently for ICC World Cups.” He continued

To support this goal, CU has strengthened development structures to ensure young players are equipped with the right technical skills, supported holistically, and given sufficient competitive exposure to grow into “generational talents” capable of shaping the future of Uganda cricket.

Addressing Gaps: Performance, Funding and Visibility

Rather than masking past weaknesses, the 2026 calendar directly targets gaps identified in previous years. A key focus is improving Uganda’s standing on the ICC scorecard; a critical metric that influences funding allocations. With the current ICC cycle ending in 2027. “Activities this year are deliberately structured to maximize points, particularly through junior competitions, women’s cricket and formalized development programmes.” – Denis Musali

Fans can therefore expect an increase in under-15 and under-17 tournaments, which carry significant weight in the ICC framework. At the same time, CU is responding to visibility concerns raised by the National Council of Sports by expanding its operational footprint from six regions to 13, with the long-term goal of reaching all 110 districts nationwide

A Clear and Structured Player Pathway

Player development will follow a deliberate and linear progression: district to regional to national age-group teams. Lessons from the 2025 Under-19 World Cup qualifiers in Nigeria: where Uganda was relegated highlighted the risks of fragmented selection and rushed team assembly.

By allowing players to grow together from under-15 and under-17 levels, CU hopes to rebuild the chemistry and cohesion that once defined Uganda’s most successful junior teams. This approach replaces the post-COVID “catch-up” model, where players from different backgrounds were brought together quickly and expected to gel immediately—a strategy that failed to produce results.