Uganda is widening its search for international talent ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, exploring players developed abroad who may be eligible to represent the country through family ties.
The Cranes will qualify automatically as Uganda prepares to co-host the tournament with Kenya and Tanzania from June 19-July 17, 2027.
That certainty has given Uganda an opportunity to build toward a rare home AFCON while looking beyond its traditional player-development pathways.
Several players based abroad have been linked with Uganda as part of that effort.
Ghana-born forward Kelvin Owusu Boateng, who plays for Austria Wien, is understood to have a Ugandan connection through a grandparent.
Goalkeeper Kingdom Osayi of Sweden’s Assyriska FF also has been linked with the Cranes.
Born to Nigerian parents, Osayi is reportedly eligible through his maternal grandmother, who was born in Uganda.
Burnley center-back Bashir Humphreys is another player reported to be under consideration. Born in Exeter, England, Humphreys developed in Chelsea’s academy and has represented England at youth level.
Others reported to have been identified include Sint-Truiden defensive midfielder Abdoulaye Sissako, whose maternal grandmother is reportedly from Kampala; Mosta goalkeeper Akpan David Udoh, who is reported to have a grandparent from Busia; and Raków defensive midfielder Dieudonné Gaucho Debohi, whose maternal grandmother is reportedly from Majanji.
FC Winterthur left back Souleyman Diaby, Beerschot center forward Vula Arnold and Lexington defensive midfielder Noble Okello Ayo have also been mentioned in connection with Uganda’s search.
Charlton Athletic right back Nathan Asiimwe, on loan at Salford City, is reported to have Ugandan parentage.
The players should not be considered confirmed additions to the national team. Eligibility, documentation, international allegiance and each player’s willingness to represent Uganda would have to be established before a call-up.
Cranes prepare for a rare home stage
Uganda’s search reflects a wider trend in international football, where migration has created generations of players who develop in one country while retaining family or nationality links to another.
That gives national associations access to footballers trained in different systems and, in some cases, established European academies.
The expanded talent pool could give the Cranes greater depth as they prepare to compete on home soil at AFCON 2027.
CAF has said the 2027 tournament will bring AFCON back to East Africa for the first time in more than five decades.
The continental body conducted inspections of facilities across Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania in September 2026.
Uganda’s final tournament venues have not been announced, although Mandela National Stadium remains the country’s leading football venue and has been central to preparations.
The Cranes have never won AFCON. Their best performance came in 1978, when they reached the final before losing 2-0 to Ghana.
Uganda has made eight previous AFCON appearances, including the 2025 tournament, and reached the round of 16 in 2019.
AFCON 2027 will mark Uganda’s ninth appearance and give the Cranes a chance to compete before a home crowd.
Diaspora recruitment could broaden coach Paul Put’s options, but it remains only one part of Uganda’s preparations.
Domestic player development, coaching, youth competitions and football infrastructure will remain important to the national team’s long-term progress.
