Divine Mukasa Earns England U21 Call-Up in Blow to Uganda’s Cranes Hopes

What the report says

Nile Post reports that Uganda’s efforts to attract England-born midfielder Divine Mukasa to the Cranes may have become harder after England added the 19-year-old to its Under-21 squad. Mukasa was moved up from England’s Under-20 side for the remaining 2027 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifiers, with England calling him up after injuries ruled out Jamie Gittens, Kellen Fisher and Ben Chrisene. He is currently on a season-long loan at West Ham United from Manchester City.

The article says Mukasa has long been involved in England’s youth setup, having represented the country from Under-15 to Under-20 level and collected 36 youth appearances across age groups. He has not yet played a competitive senior international match, so his options remain open in principle. Because he was born in London to a Ugandan father and a Lithuanian mother, he is eligible for Uganda, England or Lithuania at senior level.

For Uganda, the timing matters because the federation has reportedly been trying to persuade him to choose the Cranes as part of a broader push to identify heritage players abroad. Nile Post places Mukasa within FUFA’s wider programme to recruit eligible players with Ugandan links, alongside efforts to strengthen domestic football and academy development. The move to England’s U21 squad does not end Uganda’s pursuit, but it gives England another chance to keep him within its pathway.