Henry Muhoozi named Uganda Cubs Captain as squad nears finalization

As the intensity rises at the FUFA Technical Centre, the Uganda Cubs have received a crucial morale boost ahead of the upcoming CECAFA U17 Championship. Henry Muhoozi, a composed central and defensive midfielder from Amus College School, has officially been handed the captaincy as the national Under-17 boys’ team shapes its final roster.

Muhoozi’s appointment comes at a pivotal juncture. The Cubs entered an intensive residential training camp on September 13 with a provisional squad of 39 players, all locked in a fierce battle for a spot on the final travel list for Rwanda.

With head coach Laryea Kingston currently engaged with the Uganda Hippos, assistant coach Steven Bengo is steering the Njeru camp, ensuring the squad builds the tactical cohesion needed for the regional showpiece scheduled for October 10-19.

For the Masaka native, the armband is both a profound honour and a weighty challenge.

“I’m proud because it’s not easy, but being the captain of the national team is one of the big things that I’ve got in my career,” Muhoozi reflected.

Muhoozi is no stranger to the pressures of international football. His rapid rise has seen him shine on regional and continental stages, highlighted by standout performances during the CAF Africa Schools Football Championship CECAFA qualifiers and previous national U17 setups. 

Known for his tactical maturity, exceptional vision, and seamless ability to bridge the defensive and attacking thirds, Muhoozi provides a calming yet authoritative presence in the middle of the park.

Reflecting on the ongoing camp, the newly minted skipper expressed optimism about the team’s trajectory.

“As we are preparing for our second qualifiers, so far the preparations are not bad. The training we are trying and giving our best,” Muhoozi said, noting that recent practice matches have been instrumental in ironing out minor flaws.

Beyond his tactical duties, Muhoozi carries a deeper motivation into this campaign: redemption. Having featured in the previous CECAFA U17 tournament where Uganda fought their way to the final only to fall short of the ultimate prize, the captain understands the heartbreak of coming close.

That past setback has galvanised the current camp.

“Personally, I played last time, and we managed to reach the finals,” Muhoozi recalled. 

“We didn’t play badly, but we lost, and we didn’t manage to win the trophy. This time we are ready and shall give our all to see that we qualify and come back with the trophy.”

With the tournament fast approaching, the immediate focus in Njeru remains internal competition as the coaching staff narrows down the 39 hopefuls to the final travelling squad.

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