By Veteran forward Emmanuel Okwi has officially announced his retirement from the Uganda national football team, marking the end of a remarkable 15-year career on the international stage.
Okwi, who claims to be 32, made his national team debut in 2009 and went on to captain the Uganda Cranes. In a heartfelt statement shared on social media, he revealed that his decision was driven by a desire to create opportunities for emerging young talents.
“Representing my country on the international stage has been a fulfilling dream. Donning the Uganda Cranes shirt always left a special feeling, and captaining our team was an absolute privilege and honour,” Okwi wrote.
With East Africa set to host the CHAN tournament in August and the AFCON in 2027, Okwi believes this is the right time to step aside and allow a new generation of players to take center stage.
“An exciting new era for Ugandan football is coming up with many young footballers emerging. That is why, having cherished all those memories, I believe it is time for me to bow out and pave the way for our talented young football players,” he added.
The former Cranes captain expressed his gratitude to fans, his family, and the coaches he worked with throughout his career. He gave special recognition to Bobby Williamson, the coach who handed him his national team debut in 2009.
Okwi made an instant impact, finishing as the second top scorer in the 2010 CECAFA Cup with four goals in five matches. He followed that up in 2011 by scoring five goals, sharing the tournament’s top scorer title with Rwanda’s Meddie Kagere and Olivier Karekezi.
Though he missed out on Uganda’s return to AFCON in 2017 after a 39-year absence, Okwi played a crucial role in the 2019 campaign in Egypt, scoring twice in four matches.
Over the course of his international career, Okwi earned 95 caps for Uganda, scoring 28 goals. His departure leaves a significant legacy in Ugandan football, as the country looks ahead to a new chapter with rising young stars.
