Former Uganda Cranes captain Emmanuel Arnold Okwi has announced his retirement from international football, Daily Star can reliably report.
Okwi made his senior debut for Uganda in 2009 and quickly established himself as a key player. He was the second-highest scorer at the 2010 CECAFA Cup, netting four goals in five matches. The following year, at the 2011 CECAFA Cup, he scored five goals and shared the tournament’s top scorer title with Rwanda’s Meddie Kagere and captain Olivier Karekezi.
“Representing my country on the international stage has been a dream come true,” Okwi said in a statement earlier today. “Wearing the Uganda Cranes jersey always gave me a special feeling, and captaining the team was an absolute privilege and honor.”
He highlighted the promising future of Ugandan football, with East Africa set to host the CHAN tournament later this August and AFCON 2027. “With many young footballers coming through, I believe now is the right time to step aside and pave the way for the next generation,” he added.
Okwi expressed his gratitude to fans, his family, and all the coaches who supported his journey, with a special mention of Coach Bobby Williamson, who handed him his international debut. He also thanked the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) for their leadership.
Club Career
Okwi began his club career with Uganda Super League side SC Villa before securing a move to Tanzanian giants Simba S.C. for a reported transfer fee of US$40,000.
In January 2013, he joined Tunisian club Étoile Sportive du Sahel for a record US$300,000 transfer fee. However, Simba S.C. never received the payment, leading to a dispute. In December 2013, FIFA’s Player Status Committee cleared Okwi to return to SC Villa. Two months later, his clearance was revised, allowing him to sign for Young Africans S.C. (Yanga SC), despite protests from Simba S.C.
Okwi rejoined Simba S.C. in August 2014 on a six-month contract after Young Africans failed to pay him US$50,000, which led him to sit out the final five games of the 2013–14 season. Yanga SC contested his transfer, but the Tanzania Football Federation upheld his move.
In July 2015, Okwi signed a five-year contract with Danish club SønderjyskE Fodbold. However, he mutually terminated his contract in January 2017 after making six appearances and scoring two goals.
Upon his return from Denmark, he rejoined SC Villa on a six-month contract, scoring 10 goals in 13 Uganda Premier League matches. In June 2017, he returned to Simba S.C. for a third stint, signing a two-year deal.
After an impressive showing at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, Okwi moved to Egyptian club Al Ittihad on a two-year contract in July 2019. In August 2024, he rejoined Kiyovu Sports on a one-year contract, marking his return to the Rwandan Premier League.
