UPPC FC’s Swaibu Ssebagala Lands National Team Job.
UPPC FC’s Swaibu Ssebagala has been appointed Uganda U17 Women’s National Team (Teen Cranes) goal keeping coach along with David Ribeiro ahead of the African qualifiers for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2026.
The experienced goalkeeping coach appointment came as Head Coach Sheryl Ulanda Botes named her camp squad to face Zimbabwe, which will be played on 11th and 18th April 2026.
Ssebagala currently goalkeeping coach of Startimes Uganda Premier League club UPPC FC handled URA FC, Wakiso Giants, Bright stars, Proline FC and others before joining the Entebbe based club.
About Swaibu Ssebagala?
Swaibu Sebaggala is a recognized Ugandan goalkeeping coach and instructor, heavily involved in capacity-building programs by the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA). He has participated in specialized training, including the UEFA Elite Goalkeeping Course in Njeru and has previously been associated with Proline.
- Training & Certification: In July 2023, he was among 33 elite coaches who completed the UEFA goalkeeping course at the FUFA Technical Center.
- Background: He has participated in FUFA-led capacity-building workshops to improve goalkeeper training standards, often listed alongside prominent local goalkeeper coaching figures.
- Association: Historically linked with Proline FC.
As a player, he started his journey at Kamwokya Football Academy before joining Proline Soccer Academy as a goalkeeper and was later promoted to the senior team, playing in both the FUFA Big league and Uganda Premier League
Ssebagala retired in early 20s from being an active player and went for a goalkeeping coaching course in 2017.
The provisional squad includes;
Goalkeepers
Sharifah K. Namutebi–Kampala Queens FC (Uganda), Hawah Musa Kizza–CIA International WFC (Uganda), Adam M. Namuwaya–St. Noa Girls FC (Uganda), Hudah Ayikoru–URA Ladies FC (Uganda), Sophia Nakkazi–Boni Consilii Girls FC (Uganda).
Defenders
Ritah Anitah Nambuusi–Bukedea Comprehensive (Uganda), Martha Babirye–St. Noa Girls FC (Uganda), Jovia Nakirya–Rines SS WFC (Uganda), Angel Dominic–SIA International WFC (Uganda), Giovanna S. Aketogwanga–St. Noa Girls FC (Uganda), Phiona Arachi–Rines SS WFC (Uganda), Nancy Jude Mandera–St. Noa Girls FC (Uganda), Vicky Atyeronimungu–Amus College WFC (Uganda), Rebecca Wembalazi–Sheema Girls’ School (Uganda).
Midfielders
Sophia Musoke–New England FC (USA), Zainabu Birungi–St. Noa Girls FC (Uganda), Tracy Nabalonzi–URA Ladies FC (Uganda), Patience Asanya–El Cambio Academy (Uganda), Jennifer Onyango–SIA International WFC (Uganda), Ester Namatovu–Standard SS (Uganda), Brenda Nassaka–St. Noa Girls FC (Uganda), Lydia Nameseruka–Isra Soccer Academy (Uganda), Justine Ayerango–Rines SS WFC (Uganda), Kevin Nanyunja–Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC (Uganda), Faith Nalwadda–St. Noa Girls FC (Uganda), Cynthia Kirenga–URA Ladies FC (Uganda), Grace Kawino–SIA International WFC (Uganda), Immaculate Acen–SIA International WFC (Uganda), Halima Mupyanga–Dream Girls Academy (Uganda), Precious Wori–SIA International WFC (Uganda), Jovia Nakagwa–Highway Secondary School (Uganda), Sheila Mungutimu–Boni Consilii Girls FC (Uganda), Tahia Nantege–Isra Soccer Academy (Uganda).
Forwards
Shadia Nabirye–Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC (Uganda), Teopista Keneema–Mwenge Queens FC (Uganda), Susan Nabyonga–CIA International WFC (Uganda), Terry Mora Oseko–Nkoma Secondary School (Uganda), Samantha Saire Tibiwa–Makerere University WFC (Uganda), Joan Namakula–Isra Soccer Academy (Uganda).
Officials
- Sheryl Ulanda Botes–Head Coach
- Ahumuza Colines–Assistant Coach
- Nantumbwe Sharifah–Assistant Coach
- David Ribeiro–Goalkeeper Coach
- Ssebagala Swaibu–Goalkeeper Coach
- Nsubuga Allan Magunda–Video Analyst
- Nkata Moses–Sports Scientist
- Luwaga Farouk–Sports Scientist
- Kabatalindwa Mable–Team Doctor
- Nakuya Jackline–Physiotherapist
- Nakiguba Cissy Gaudensia–Equipment Manager
- Nalwadda Prossy–Equipment Assistant
- Namusisi Joan–Team Manager
- Nabisere Leilah–Media Officer
- Kabali Ahmed–Transport Officer
Format
The qualification competition consists of three rounds of home-and-away matches. Thirty teams enter the first round, with one team exempted based on its performance across the last five editions of the qualification competition. The 15 winners advance to the second round, where they are joined by the exempted team. These 16 teams compete for eight places in the third round. The remaining eight teams then face off in four two-legged ties, with the four winners qualifying for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.