Zanzibar Friendly Called Off as Health Concerns Disrupt Uganda Cranes’ June Plans

KAMPALA — The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) has suffered yet another logistical blow after the highly anticipated international friendly between the Uganda Cranes and Zanzibar was abruptly cancelled.

The match, which was scheduled for Thursday, June 11, 2026, at the newly refurbished New Amaan Complex, was called off due to government health precautionary directives. The fixture was intended to be a centerpiece of the Zanzibar Football Federation’s (ZFF) Centenary Celebrations.

In a communication dispatched to FUFA, the ZFF expressed deep regret over the development, stating that the decision was completely "beyond their control" but necessary to comply with public health mandates.

A Month of Total Disruption

This cancellation caps off a deeply frustrating June international window for Head Coach Paul Put and the Cranes delegation.

Just a week prior, Uganda’s planned high-profile training camp in Marrakech, Morocco, was completely derailed. The Cranes were scheduled to play two international friendlies against Tanzania (June 5) and Madagascar (June 8). However, after the delegation had already arrived in North Africa, both matches were cancelled at the eleventh hour due to strict "sanitary and public health considerations" enforced by Moroccan authorities.

The Zanzibar fixture had been hastily arranged as a vital alternative to ensure the team got competitive minutes, making this third consecutive cancellation a massive setback.

Local Stars Miss Out on Golden Opportunity

The cancellation is particularly heartbreaking for the 22-man squad assembled by Paul Put, which was composed entirely of local, Uganda Premier League (UPL) players.

With the Morocco trip falling through, the Zanzibar game was seen as a golden audition for domestic talent. Newly crowned league champions SC Villa dominated the squad selection with seven players—including goalkeeper David Lukwago and captain David Owori—while sharp-shooting KCCA forward Ivan Ahimbisibwe was expected to lead the line.

"While we deeply regret that our players will miss the opportunity to compete, FUFA completely respects the health and safety decisions made by government authorities. The well-being of the players, staff, and fans remains the absolute priority."

— Summary of FUFA’s stance on the recurring health disruptions.

With the entire June fixture list effectively wiped clean by regional public health interventions, the Cranes will now have to disband and return to their respective clubs. FUFA's technical team faces the tough task of reshaping their developmental and competitive roadmaps heading into the next FIFA international window.