Uganda national football team

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The Uganda national football team have represented Uganda in men's international football since the first international match in 1926. It is controlled by Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA), the governing body for football in Uganda, which is affiliated with CAF and comes under the global jurisdiction of world football's governing body FIFA. Uganda competes in the three major international tournaments contested by African nations: the FIFA World Cup, Africa Cup of Nations and African Nations League.

Nickname(s)The Cranes
The Red Devils
ConfederationCAF (Africa)
Sub-confederationCECAFA (East & Central Africa)
Quick facts Nickname(s), Association ...
Uganda
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)The Cranes
The Red Devils
AssociationFederation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA)
ConfederationCAF (Africa)
Sub-confederationCECAFA (East & Central Africa)
Head coachPaul Put
CaptainKhalid Aucho
Most capsGodfrey Walusimbi (105)
Top scorerEmmanuel Okwi (28)
Home stadiumMandela National Stadium
FIFA codeUGA
First colours
Third colours
FIFA ranking
Current 89 Decrease 1 (11 June 2026)[1]
Highest62 (January 2016)
Lowest152 (July 2002)
First international
 Kenya 1–1 Uganda 
(Nairobi, Kenya; 1 May 1926)
Biggest win
 Uganda 13–1 Kenya 
(Uganda; 14 December 1932)
Biggest defeat
 Egypt 6–0 Uganda 
(Alexandria, Egypt; 30 July 1995)
 Tunisia 6–0 Uganda 
(Tunis, Tunisia; 28 February 1999)
Africa Cup of Nations
Appearances8 (first in 1962)
Best resultRunners-up (1978)
African Nations Championship
Appearances6 (first in 2011)
Best resultQuarter final (2024)
COSAFA Cup
Appearances1 (first in 2019)
Best resultQuarter-finals (2019)
CECAFA Cup
Appearances38 (first in 1973)
Best resultChampions (1973, 1976, 1977, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1996, 2000, 2003, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019)
Websitefufa.co.ug
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History

The Uganda Cranes made their debut on 1 May 1926 against Kenya, drawing 1–1. In 1962, they qualified for their Africa Cup of Nations debut in the third edition of the tournament, which included only 4 teams. In the semi-finals, the Cranes were defeated and eliminated by the United Arab Republic (2–1), and then lost the third-place match against Tunisia (3–0).

The Cranes returned to the Africa Cup of Nations in 1974, where they were eliminated in the first round following 2 defeats against Egypt and Zambia and a draw against Ivory Coast. In 1976, they were eliminated in the first round, being defeated by Ethiopia, Egypt and Guinea.

In the 1978 Africa Cup of Nations, the Cranes finished second in the group stages defeating the Republic of Congo (3–1) and Morocco (3–0) and lost 3–1 to Tunisia. In the semi-finals they eliminated Nigeria (2–1), and in the finals they were defeated by Ghana (2–0).

In 2017 the Cranes qualified for the African Cup of Nations again after 39 years. They finished the tournament in the first round after two consecutive 1–0 losses to Ghana and Egypt and a 1–1 draw against Mali.

In the qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup, the Cranes progressed to the second round with a 4–0 aggregate win against Togo, and were drawn into a group with Egypt, Ghana and the Republic of Congo. They finished the group with 2 0–0 draws against Ghana, a win and a draw against the Republic of Congo and a victory against Egypt followed by a defeat at the home of the Pharaohs. The 9 points won were not enough for Uganda to qualify against the 13 of the Egyptians who finished first in the standings.

In the qualifiers for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, the Cranes cruised through qualifiers against Tanzania, Cape Verde and Lesotho. In the competition proper, a 2–0 victory against DR Congo meant that the Uganda Cranes had won their first match in the competition for 41 years. In the other 2 games of the group Uganda obtained a draw against Zimbabwe (1–1) and a defeat against the hosts Egypt (2–0) qualifying in second place, to be eliminated in the round of 16 by Senegal (1–0). They qualified for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after South Sudan beat Congo 3–2 on November 14, 2024.

Team image

Kits and crest

Kit suppliers

More information Kit supplier, Period ...
Kit supplier Period Ref
Admiral1926–1978
Orbit1992–1994
Erima1998–1999
Hummel2000–2006
Adidas2007–2017
Erreà2017–2018
Mafro2018–2021
Umbro2021–2024
Janzi2024–present
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Colours

Uganda shirt for 2016

Uganda's traditional home colours are red shirts, black shorts and red or black socks. The team has periodically worn an all-red kit.

Home stadium

Mandela National Stadium prior to redevelopment

The Mandela National Stadium was closed for renovation in 2019 after the outbreak of COVID-19 after it failed to reach the minimum standards required by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to host international matches.[2] In 2020, the stadium was blacklisted from hosting football games due to its substandard condition.[3] Reconstruction works, undertaken by the UPDF Engineering Brigade, began in 2022, and included the installation of a permanent seats in the stadium, new dressing rooms, a modern scoreboard, as well as the refurbishment of floodlights and the pitch.[3]

The new redeveloped Mandela National Stadium. View from Section 1 with only the expanded roof and seating yet to be completed

Results and fixtures

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixture

2025

9 June Friendly Uganda  1–1  Gambia Marrakesh, Morocco
16:00 UTC+1
Report
Stadium: Stade de Marrakech
5 September 2026 World Cup qualification Uganda  4–0  Mozambique Kampala, Uganda
19:00 UTC+3 Okello 48'
Mato 70', 84'
Capradossi 90'
Report Stadium: Mandela National Stadium
Referee: Kalilou Ibrahim Traoré (Ivory Coast)
8 September 2026 World Cup qualification Uganda  2–0  Somalia Kampala, Uganda
19:00 UTC+3 Okello 6' (pen.)
Ssemugabi 39'
Report Stadium: Mandela National Stadium
Referee: Samuel Uwikunda (Rwanda)
9 October 2026 World Cup qualification Botswana  0–1  Uganda Francistown, Botswana
18:00 UTC+2 Report Ssemugabi 54' Stadium: Obed Itani Chilume Stadium
Referee: Dahane Beida (Mauritania)
14 October 2026 World Cup qualification Algeria  2–1  Uganda Tizi Ouzou, Algeria
17:00 UTC+1 Amoura 81' (pen.), 90+9' (pen.) Report Mukwala 6' Stadium: Hocine Aït Ahmed Stadium
Attendance: 500
Referee: Ahmad Imtehaz Heeralall (Mauritius)
14 November Friendly Uganda  2–1  Chad Berrechid, Morocco
Report Stadium: Stade Municipal De Berrechid
18 November Friendly Morocco  4–0  Uganda Tangier, Morocco
20:00 UTC+1
Report Stadium: Ibn Batouta Stadium
Referee: Ousmane Diakate (Mali)
23 December 2025 AFCON GS Tunisia  3–1  Uganda Rabat, Morocco
21:00 UTC+1
Report
Stadium: Rabat Olympic Stadium
Referee: Patrice Mebiame (Gabon)
27 December 2025 AFCON GS Uganda  1–1  Tanzania Rabat, Morocco
18:30 UTC+1 Ikpeazu 80' Report Msuva 59' (pen.) Stadium: Al Medina Stadium
Attendance: 10,540
Referee: Jalal Jayed (Morocco)
30 December 2025 AFCON GS Uganda  1–3  Nigeria Fez, Morocco
17:00 UTC+1
Report
Stadium: Fez Stadium
Referee: Djindo Louis Houngnandande (Benin)

2026

26 March Friendly Bahrain  Cancelled  Uganda Antalya, Türkiye
--:-- UTC+3 Report
Note: Match cancelled due to travel disruptions from the 2026 Iran war.
31 March Friendly Uganda  Cancelled  Madagascar Antalya, Türkiye
--:-- UTC+3 Report
Note: Match cancelled due to travel disruptions from the 2026 Iran war.
5 June Friendly Tanzania  Cancelled  Uganda Marrakesh, Morocco
--:-- UTC+1 Stadium: Marrakesh Stadium
8 June Friendly Uganda  Cancelled  Madagascar Marrakesh, Morocco
--:-- UTC+1 Stadium: Marrakesh Stadium
11 June Friendly Zanzibar  Cancelled  Uganda Zanzibar
20:15 UTC+3 Report Stadium: Amaan Stadium
Note: Match cancelled due to health concerns related to Ebola prevention measures.
TBD 2027 AFCON qualification Tunisia  v  Uganda TBD, Tunisia
TBD Stadium: TBD
TBD 2027 AFCON qualification Uganda  v  Tunisia TBD, Uganda
TBD Stadium: TBD
TBD 2027 AFCON qualification Uganda  v  Libya TBD, Uganda
TBD Stadium: TBD
TBD 2027 AFCON qualification Libya  v  Uganda TBD, Libya
TBD Stadium: TBD
TBD 2027 AFCON qualification Uganda  v  Botswana TBD, Uganda
TBD Stadium: TBD
TBD 2027 AFCON qualification Botswana  v  Uganda TBD, Botswana
TBD Stadium: TBD

Coaching staff

More information Position, Staff ...
PositionStaff
Head coachBelgium Paul Put
Assistant coachUganda Sam Ssimbwa
Performance managerBelgium Sven De Wilde
Goalkeeper coachBelgium Gery Oste
Physical coachBelgium Mathieu Denis
Physiotherapist & Fitness coachBelgium Arthur Naudts
Video analystBelgium Jelle Sevenhant
Team DoctorBelgium Arnaud Depraetere
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Coaching history

Interim coaches are listed in italics.[4][5][6]

Players

Current squad

The following players were called up for the friendly matches against Tanzania and Madagascar on 5 and 8 June 2026, respectively.[7]

Caps and goals are correct as of 30 December 2025, after the match against Nigeria.

More information No., Pos. ...
No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Joel Mutakubwa (1994-07-17) 17 July 1994 (age 31) 8 0 Ethiopian Football Federation Welwalo Adigrat University
1GK David Lukwago (2002-10-10) 10 October 2002 (age 23) 0 0 Federation of Uganda Football Associations Villa
1GK Hannington Ssebwalunyo (1989-05-28) 28 May 1989 (age 37) 0 0 Federation of Uganda Football Associations NEC

2DF Aziz Kayondo (2002-10-06) 6 October 2002 (age 23) 36 2 Football Association of the Czech Republic Slovan Liberec
2DF Jordan Obita (1993-12-08) 8 December 1993 (age 32) 10 0 Scottish Football Association Hibernian
2DF Herbert Achayi (1999-08-08) 8 August 1999 (age 26) 2 0 Federation of Uganda Football Associations KCCA
2DF Nathan Asiimwe (2004-12-29) 29 December 2004 (age 21) 0 0 The Football Association Charlton Athletic
2DF Raymond Barasa (2007-11-19) 19 November 2007 (age 18) 0 0 Federation of Uganda Football Associations Villa
2DF Herbert Bockhorn (1995-01-31) 31 January 1995 (age 31) 0 0 German Football Association 1. FC Magdeburg
2DF Geoffrey Lubanga (1996-09-10) 10 September 1996 (age 29) 0 0 Federation of Uganda Football Associations Villa
2DF Hilary Mukundane (1997-12-22) 22 December 1997 (age 28) 8 0 Federation of Uganda Football Associations Vipers

3MF Allan Okello (2000-07-04) 4 July 2000 (age 25) 35 6 Tanzania Football Federation Young Africans
3MF Travis Mutyaba (2005-08-07) 7 August 2005 (age 20) 29 2 Tunisian Football Federation Sfaxien
3MF Bobosi Byaruhanga (2001-12-03) 3 December 2001 (age 24) 27 0 United States Soccer Federation Oakland Roots SC
3MF Abdul Karim Watambala (2000-03-03) 3 March 2000 (age 26) 23 0 Federation of Uganda Football Associations Vipers
3MF Baba Alhassan (2000-01-03) 3 January 2000 (age 26) 4 0 Romanian Football Federation FCSB
3MF Allan Oyirwoth (2007-01-23) 23 January 2007 (age 19) 4 0 United States Soccer Federation New England Revolution
3MF Noble Okello (2000-07-20) 20 July 2000 (age 25) 0 0 United States Soccer Federation Indy Eleven
3MF Joseph Seremba 0 0 Federation of Uganda Football Associations NEC

4FW Rogers Mato (1998-10-20) 20 October 1998 (age 27) 39 7 Scottish Football Association Heart of Midlothian
4FW Steven Mukwala (1999-07-15) 15 July 1999 (age 26) 28 2 Libyan Football Federation Al Nasr
4FW Richard Basangwa (2001-12-17) 17 December 2001 (age 24) 12 1 Federation of Uganda Football Associations NEC
4FW Ivan Ahimbisibwe (2000-03-18) 18 March 2000 (age 26) 4 1 Federation of Uganda Football Associations KCCA
4FW Arafat Kiza Usama (2004-06-27) 27 June 2004 (age 21) 4 0 Federation of Uganda Football Associations Vipers
4FW Frank Ssebuufu (2001-09-09) 9 September 2001 (age 24) 3 0 Federation of Uganda Football Associations Villa
4FW James Bogere (2008-02-02) 2 February 2008 (age 18) 2 0 Danish Football Association AGF
4FW Hassan Mubiru (2004-07-25) 25 July 2004 (age 21) 0 0 Federation of Uganda Football Associations Villa
4FW Sammy Ssebaduka (2002-12-30) 30 December 2002 (age 23) 0 0 Federation of Uganda Football Associations KCCA
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Recent call-ups

The following players have been called up in the last 12 months.

More information Pos., Player ...
Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Denis Onyango (1985-05-15) 15 May 1985 (age 41) 84 0 South Africa Mamelodi Sundowns 2025 Africa Cup of Nations
GK Salim Magoola (1995-05-27) 27 May 1995 (age 31) 17 0 South Africa Richards Bay 2025 Africa Cup of Nations
GK Nafian Alionzi (1996-03-01) 1 March 1996 (age 30) 8 0 Ethiopia Defence Force 2025 Africa Cup of Nations
GK Charles Lukwago (1993-12-11) 11 December 1993 (age 32) 24 0 Uganda KCCA 2025 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
GK Ismail Watenga (1995-05-15) 15 May 1995 (age 31) 38 0 South Africa Lamontville Golden Arrows v.  Gambia, 9 June 2025

DF Isaac Muleme (1992-10-10) 10 October 1992 (age 33) 49 0 Czech Republic Viktoria Žižkov 2025 Africa Cup of Nations
DF Timothy Awany (1996-08-06) 6 August 1996 (age 29) 40 0 Israel Ashdod 2025 Africa Cup of Nations
DF Elio Capradossi (1996-03-11) 11 March 1996 (age 30) 11 1 Romania Universitatea Cluj 2025 Africa Cup of Nations
DF Toby Sibbick (1999-05-23) 23 May 1999 (age 27) 9 0 England Burton Albion 2025 Africa Cup of Nations
DF Rogers Torach (2003-06-23) 23 June 2003 (age 22) 7 1 Uganda Vipers 2025 Africa Cup of Nations
DF Gavin Kizito (2002-01-14) 14 January 2002 (age 24) 14 0 Uganda KCCA v.  Algeria, 14 October 2025
DF Elvis Bwomono (1998-11-29) 29 November 1998 (age 27) 13 0 Scotland St Mirren v.  Gambia, 9 June 2025
DF Arnold Odong (1999-03-02) 2 March 1999 (age 27) 0 0 Uganda Villa v.  Gambia, 9 June 2025
DF Nicholas Wadada (1994-07-27) 27 July 1994 (age 31) 63 1 Uganda Vipers v.  Gambia, 9 June 2025
DF Bevis Mugabi (1995-05-01) 1 May 1995 (age 31) 26 1 Cyprus Anorthosis Famagusta v.  Guinea, 25 March 2025

MF Khalid Aucho (captain) (1993-08-08) 8 August 1993 (age 32) 73 2 Tanzania Singida Black Stars 2025 Africa Cup of Nations
MF Kenneth Semakula (2002-11-14) 14 November 2002 (age 23) 35 0 Saudi Arabia Al-Adalah 2025 Africa Cup of Nations
MF Ronald Ssekiganda (1995-09-13) 13 September 1995 (age 30) 12 1 Rwanda APR 2025 Africa Cup of Nations
MF David Owori (1998-09-23) 23 September 1998 (age 27) 0 0 Uganda Villa 2025 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
MF Enock Ssebaggala (2000-07-28) 28 July 2000 (age 25) 1 0 Uganda Vipers v.  Algeria, 14 October 2025
MF Karim Watambala (2000-03-03) 3 March 2000 (age 26) 18 0 Uganda Vipers v.  Gambia, 9 June 2025

FW Denis Omedi (1996-06-13) 13 June 1996 (age 30) 20 4 Rwanda APR 2025 Africa Cup of Nations
FW Jude Ssemugabi (1997-03-03) 3 March 1997 (age 29) 18 4 South Sudan Jamus 2025 Africa Cup of Nations
FW Reagan Mpande (2000-05-07) 7 May 2000 (age 26) 7 1 Uganda Villa 2025 Africa Cup of Nations
FW Uche Ikpeazu (1995-02-28) 28 February 1995 (age 31) 6 1 Scotland Ross County 2025 Africa Cup of Nations
FW Melvyn Lorenzen (1994-11-26) 26 November 1994 (age 31) 3 0 Thailand Muangthong United 2025 Africa Cup of Nations
FW Shafik Nana Kwikiriza (2004-03-03) 3 March 2004 (age 22) 1 0 Uganda KCCA 2025 Africa Cup of Nations
FW Joseph Mpande (1994-03-23) 23 March 1994 (age 32) 15 2 Vietnam PVF-CAND v.  Algeria, 14 October 2025
FW Muhammad Shaban (1998-01-11) 11 January 1998 (age 28) 28 3 Libya Al-Anwar Al-Abyar v.  Gambia, 9 June 2025
FW Patrick Kakande (2003-04-25) 25 April 2003 (age 23) 5 0 Uganda Villa v.  Gambia, 9 June 2025
FW Hakim Kiwanuka (2000-09-11) 11 September 2000 (age 25) 6 1 Rwanda APR v.  Gambia, 9 June 2025
FW Calvin Kabuye (2003-03-28) 28 March 2003 (age 23) 1 0 Sweden Mjällby v.  Guinea, 25 March 2025

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Individual records

As of 30 December 2025[8]
Players in bold are still active with Uganda.
More information Rank, Player ...
Most appearances
Rank Player Caps Goals Career
1Godfrey Walusimbi10532009–2019
2Emmanuel Okwi95282009–2023
3Simeon Masaba8862002–2013
4Denis Onyango8702005–present
5Tony Mawejje8682003–2018
6Khalid Aucho8322013–present
7Hassan Wasswa8102006–2019
8Farouk Miya79232014–2023
9Andrew Mwesigwa7572003–2014
10Geoffrey Massa72222005–2017
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More information Rank, Player ...
Top goalscorers
Rank Player Goals Caps Ratio Career
1Emmanuel Okwi28950.292009–2023
2Ali Kitonsa25300.831961–1972
3Farouk Miya23790.292014–2023
4Geoffrey Massa22720.312005–2017
5Majid Musisi20290.691987–2000
6Hassan Mubiru18630.291998–2007
7David Obua16360.442003–2011
8Geoffrey Sserunkuma14540.262002–2017
9Brian Umony12360.332009–2015
10Jackson Mayanja10270.371988–1999
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Competitive record

FIFA World Cup

More information FIFA World Cup record, Qualification record ...
FIFA World Cup record Qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
1930 to 1958 Not a FIFA member Not a FIFA member
1962 to 1974 Did not enter Did not enter
Argentina 1978 Did not qualify 2 1 0 1 3 4
Spain 1982 Withdrew Withdrew
Mexico 1986 Did not qualify 2 1 0 1 1 3
Italy 1990 2 1 0 1 2 3
United States 1994 Withdrew during qualifying Withdrew during qualifying
France 1998 Did not qualify 2 0 0 2 1 5
South Korea Japan 2002 2 0 1 1 4 7
Germany 2006 12 3 2 7 10 18
South Africa 2010 6 3 1 2 8 9
Brazil 2014 6 2 2 2 5 6
Russia 2018 8 4 3 1 7 2
Qatar 2022 6 2 3 1 3 2
Canada Mexico United States 2026 10 6 0 4 14 9
Morocco Portugal Spain 2030 To be determined To be determined
Saudi Arabia 2034
Total 58 23 12 23 58 68
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Africa Cup of Nations

More information Africa Cup of Nations record, Year ...
Africa Cup of Nations record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA
Sudan 1957Not affiliated to CAF
United Arab Republic 1959
Ethiopia 1962Fourth place4th200215
Ghana 1963Withdrew
Tunisia 1965Did not qualify
Ethiopia 1968Group stage8th300328
Sudan 1970Did not qualify
Cameroon 1972
Egypt 1974Group stage6th301235
Ethiopia 1976Group stage8th300326
Ghana 1978Runners-up2nd530297
Nigeria 1980Withdrew
Libya 1982
Ivory Coast 1984Did not qualify
Egypt 1986
Morocco 1988
Algeria 1990Withdrew
Senegal 1992 to Equatorial Guinea 2015Did not qualify
Gabon 2017Group stage13th301213
Egypt 2019Round of 1613th411234
Cameroon 2021Did not qualify
Ivory Coast 2023
Morocco 2025Group stage 21st 3 0 1 2 3 7
Kenya Tanzania Uganda 2027Qualified as co-hosts
TotalRunners-up8/352644182445
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African Nations Championship

More information African Nations Championship record, Year ...
African Nations Championship record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA
Ivory Coast 2009Did not qualify
Sudan 2011Group stage15th300315
South Africa 201412th311134
Rwanda 201612th302134
Morocco 201812th301214
Cameroon 202014th301237
Algeria 202211th311123
KenyaTanzaniaUganda 2024Quarter-finals 8th 5 2 1 2 8 7
TotalQuarter-finals7/82347122134
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African Games

More information Year, Round ...
YearRoundPldWDLGFGA
Republic of the Congo 19656th place51131014
1973–1987Did not enter
Total-51131014
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CECAFA Cup

(1973–2023)

Other tournaments

More information Year, Round ...
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Head-to-head record

Completely updated and corrected per the cited source on 30 December 2025 [9]

More information Against, Played ...
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Note: Country in italic is not a member of FIFA.

Source:[10][11]

Honours

Continental

Regional

Friendly

  • Gossage Cup / Challenge Cup (25): 1928, 1929, 1930, 1932, 1935, 1936, 1937, 1938, 1939, 1940, 1943, 1945, 1947, 1948, 1952, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1960 (shared), 1962, 1963, 1968, 1969, 1970

Awards

Summary

More information Competition, Total ...
Competition1st place, gold medalist(s)2nd place, silver medalist(s)3rd place, bronze medalist(s)Total
CAF African Cup of Nations 0101
Total0101
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See also

References

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