Former Kenya cricket captain appointed as Uganda's head coach
Reading Time: 2min | Sat. 14.03.26. | 15:38
The 54-year-old previously served as Cranes' batting coach from 2012-2013, before taking over the reins in 2016
Former Kenyan cricketer Steve Tikolo says he has “unfinished business” after being unveiled as the new head coach of Uganda’s senior men’s national team, the Cricket Cranes, on Friday, 13 March.
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Tikolo, who represented Kenya at five ICC Cricket World Cups during his playing career, was appointed for his third stint as Uganda’s coach, following a rigorous global recruitment process that attracted more than 75 applicants from across the cricketing world.
The 54-year-old signed a three-year contract with the team, replacing Abhay Sharma of India, whose tenure ended in October last year.
A familiar face returns!
— Cricket Uganda (@CricketUganda) March 13, 2026
Steve Tikolo takes charge of the Cricket Cranes on a three-year deal, marking his third coaching stint with the team.#LycaConnectsCricket pic.twitter.com/eAXWe33XA4
Top of his in-tray at the Entebbe Cricket Oval is to qualify Uganda for the 2028 T20 Cricket World Cup in New Zealand and Australia, a task Tikolo says pushed him to return to the side.
“My goal was to take the team to the World Cup, but that didn’t happen,” Tikolo, who previously served as Uganda’s batting coach from 2012–2013, and head coach from 2016–2019, said on Friday.
“For me, that is unfinished business with the Cricket Cranes, because I played at the World Cup, and I would love to take Uganda there as a coach now.”
Steve Tikolo shares his first thoughts and immediate plans after being unveiled as Cricket Cranes head coach today.#LycaConnectsCricket pic.twitter.com/Qe0wYzeky9
— Cricket Uganda (@CricketUganda) March 13, 2026
Uganda, who made their T20 World Cup debut in 2024, are this year expected to feature in a busy international calendar that includes regional competitions and ICC qualification tournaments.
Tikolo’s first assignment comes in the form of a five-match international tour to Windhoek, Namibia between Monday, 16 - Thursday, 26 March.
There, the team is scheduled toUganda face Namibia and Namibia A in two T20 matches and three 50-over fixtures.
After that, Qualification for One Day International (ODI) status through the ICC Cricket World Cup Challenge League B awaits in Dar es Salaam in August, before the World Cup Qualification journey begins in Nigeria in October.
“I left the team in a good space, and the coaches that came in did well to take the team to the World Cup,” Tikolo, who also served as Kenya’s captain from 2002 to 2009, added.
“I am also looking at the One Day International (ODI) status for Uganda – we have got to give it a good go. These are the immediate KPIs I have set for myself.”
