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Cricket Cranes soar Into 2026 with high-stakes Namibia tour
By Grace Joyce Kemigisa
As the 2026 international season gathers momentum, Cricket Uganda has unveiled a refreshed and ambitious Cricket Cranes squad set to tour Namibia from March 16–26. The build-up series signals the start of a pivotal year for Uganda’s senior men’s team, blending seasoned campaigners with a new generation eager to leave their mark on the international stage.
Uganda will contest five competitive fixtures in Windhoek two T20 matches against Namibia A and three 50-over games, including two against the senior Namibian side, popularly known as the Eagles. The hosts arrive in confident mood, having recently represented Africa at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
For the Cricket Cranes, this is far more than a routine bilateral series. It is the first building block in a season loaded with opportunity.
In August, Uganda heads to Dar es Salaam for the ICC Cricket World Cup Challenge League B, where ODI status is firmly within reach. The team currently tops the table with 18 points and needs at least three victories to secure a top-two finish and advance further along the 2027 ODI World Cup qualification pathway.
Later in October, attention shifts to Nigeria for the Africa Sub-Regional Qualifiers, where Uganda will battle for a place at the 2028 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
Head coach Jackson Onyango has welcomed the Namibia tour as the perfect testing ground.
“This is our first tour of the year and we are grateful for the opportunity to face tough opposition like Namibia,” Onyango noted. “It gives us early game time, allows us to test new combinations, and prepares us for what lies ahead in Tanzania and Nigeria.”
Captain Riazat Ali Shah leads a group reinforced by the return of experienced figures such as Simon Ssesazi, Uganda’s leading T20I run-scorer, and all-rounder Kenneth Waiswa, who returns sharper after a stint in England. Veteran pacer Bilal Hassun adds valuable leadership to a developing pace unit.
Ssesazi’s anchoring ability in 50-over cricket and adaptability in T20s provides stability at the top, while Waiswa strengthens the middle overs with both bat and ball. Onyango believes rewarding form was an easy decision. “We are going to reward players who are on top of their game,” he said.
The tour also ushers in three senior debutants Charles Musemeza, Anas Baig and Gerald Olipa each earning selection through consistent domestic performances.
Musemeza’s reliability behind the stumps complements his steady run-scoring record. Anas Baig dominated Uganda’s domestic batting charts last season and continued that form in the Waterfalls Elite League and national trials.
Olipa, captain of the Baby Cricket Cranes, arrives with growing acclaim after finishing as MVP of the Waterfalls Elite League with 228 runs, including three half-centuries. He follows in the footsteps of his elder brother Rogers Olipa, who has previously featured for Uganda at both U-19 and senior level.
Onyango is particularly excited about the depth the youngsters provide. “They bring healthy competition in the batting department. This is their opportunity to test themselves internationally and grow.”
Namibia’s reputation as one of Africa’s most organised associate nations ensures a stern examination. Uganda will assess new playing surfaces in Windhoek, adapt to conditions, and aim to measure progress against quality opposition.
While Uganda is traditionally known for disciplined bowling and sharp fielding, the coach has highlighted batting depth as a key focus area. “We want to see how many runs we can score against a strong bowling attack, and equally how our bowlers respond to top batters,” Onyango explained.
The team has been training in both formats weekly, fine-tuning strategies for the contrasting demands of 50-over and T20 cricket balancing patience with aggression, endurance with intensity.
For Onyango, success will be measured both in wins and in growth. “A successful tour is judged on results, but also on performance growth and squad development. We want to play the brand of cricket we’ve been working on and come back stronger.”
With ODI ambitions on the horizon and T20 dreams alive, the Cricket Cranes depart for Namibia not just to compete but to evolve. If the balance between youth and experience clicks, this March tour could lay the foundation for one of Uganda’s most defining cricketing years.
Squad – Tour to Namibia
Riazat Ali Shah (Captain)
Robinson Obuya
Simon Ssesazi
Anas Mirza Baig
Kenneth Waiswa
Cyrus Kakuru
Charles Musemeza
Juma Miyaji
Cosmas Kyewuta
Bilal Hassun
Henry Ssenyondo
Joseph Baguma
Mathew Musinguzi
Gerald Olipa
Tour Itinerary
March 18: T20 vs Namibia A
March 19: T20 vs Namibia A
March 21: 50 overs vs Namibia
March 23: 50 overs vs Namibia
March 25: 50 overs vs Namibia A
