Written By | Alex Mbamanya
The siblings, who play for Scottish second-division side Partick Thistle, embraced the opportunity to represent Uganda with the support and guidance of their parents, Scott and Kate Fisher.
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Kampala, Uganda
It is every athlete’s dream to don their national team colours and represent their country at different levels of competition and across various sporting disciplines.
However, making that choice can be difficult for athletes who have two or more countries they are eligible to represent.
For Scottish brothers Sebastian and Oliver Fisher, though, there was little hesitation when the opportunity to join Uganda’s national junior teams came knocking.
The siblings, who play for Scottish second-division side Partick Thistle, embraced the opportunity to represent Uganda with the support and guidance of their parents, Scott and Kate Fisher.
Oliver, 18, popularly known as Olly, is a goalkeeper, while Sebastian, also known as Seb, is a striker. The two brothers are seeking to make history by becoming among the first white players of European descent to represent Uganda at international level, while also potentially becoming the first brothers to do so.
The Fisher brothers with their dad Scott Fisher and football consultant Segun Jegede
The pair recently visited Uganda for the first time, following in the footsteps of their mother, Kate, who was born in the country nearly three decades ago.
Their experiences and stories range from how they were identified as eligible to represent Uganda’s national junior teams to their first impressions of life in the country, including the food, weather, football and the warm reception they have received in the Pearl of Africa.
"To me, it was a very big surprise, but we were very excited and are very honoured to be here for Uganda's national teams. You know, it's a great honour, and we are very happy to accept the call-up and be here," Oliver Fisher said.
"Our mother was very excited as well, first of all because she was born here and because we are also making it here. Our father was very happy and positive too. He is very excited and sees it as a great opportunity for us," Sebastian added.
Since their arrival in Uganda in late August, Oliver has trained with the national men's U20 team, which travelled to Tanzania for the AFCON qualifiers and finished third. Sebastian, meanwhile, has been with the men's U17 team and eventually earned a place in the Uganda Cubs squad for the CECAFA-zone qualifiers in Kigali, Rwanda, scheduled to run from October 10 to 19.
"It's been a very welcoming environment. The boys are friendly and welcoming, and we feel at home with them. The coaches and the entire technical staff have been amazing, and we became part of the team from the start. It has been very nice to see them welcome us so warmly," Oliver said.
Sebastian during a training session
A conversation that led to the discovery of their Ugandan roots
The brothers first learnt about Uganda's interest in them early this year, following what they described as a meeting and conversation between their father, Scott Fisher, and football consultant Segun Jegede during a football match in Nigeria.
Their mother, Kate, is a schoolteacher who was born in Uganda, where their grandparents had lived for about five years. Their father, Scott Fisher, is a former footballer.
Following the initial discussions, consultations began on whether the brothers should take up the opportunity to represent Uganda.
"I helped facilitate all the paperwork for dual nationality and naturalisation with FUFA, working alongside Mathius Sendawula. I supported the parents and Partick Thistle in addressing challenges arising from cultural differences and operational differences between FUFA, Oliver and Sebastian, and their parents.
"I was the bridge that dealt with all the setbacks in the process of getting the boys to represent Uganda. I flew with Olly, Sebastian and their father to Uganda, stayed with them and left the country after three weeks and two days," Jegede said.
The process gained further momentum when former Ghana international and Uganda junior-team head coach Laryea Kingston, who spent part of his playing career at Hearts, gave the brothers an encouraging trial.
With Uganda Cranes attacker Rodgers Mato also featuring for Hearts, the Scottish club, the connection with Uganda became easier to establish, helping the brothers and their family make the final decision.
A month of intensive training and learning to cope with the pace of play
After the necessary arrangements had been made and the call-ups confirmed, the brothers, accompanied by their father, Scott, and football consultant Segun, travelled from Glasgow to Uganda.
They arrived in early August, joining the Uganda U20 team as it prepared for the CECAFA-zone AFCON qualifiers in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The tournament has since concluded.
Sebastian later joined the Uganda U17 team, which went into camp in Jinja, eastern Uganda, ahead of the CECAFA-zone qualifiers in Kigali, Rwanda, in October.
"The training here has been amazing. The tempo and speed of play are high, and you have to receive the ball with good touch and technique. I'm enjoying the training here, and it's been very good so far," Sebastian said.
While Olly has returned to Glasgow to attend to his school and club commitments, Sebastian remains with the Uganda U17 national team in Kigali, Rwanda, where he is on the verge of making a historic appearance in Uganda's colours.
A father's delight: The weather, food and Rolex experience
Scott Fisher has accompanied his sons throughout their time in Uganda and is currently in Kigali, where Sebastian has made the final Uganda Cubs squad for the tournament.
His pride, shared by their mother, Kate, was evident following the call-ups that gave both sons an opportunity to represent Uganda.
"My wife, Kate, and I are extremely proud of our sons, Oliver and Sebastian, for choosing to play for and represent Uganda. This is a great honour.
"Their training in Uganda has changed them by making them think more quickly and move the ball faster. They are thinking more about the game in general because the pace is fast and the intensity is high.
"The training methodology and schedule have helped the boys embrace the culture and food, while also enhancing their lives and social skills in general.
"It's also quite significant that the FUFA Technical Centre is in Jinja, right next to the River Nile, where you have football culture, education, geography and history all at the same time.
"My words of encouragement to Sebastian going into this tournament would be to enjoy and embrace every minute of it and take it all in. These opportunities don't happen every day," Scott said.
The brothers have spent nearly two months in Uganda, gaining valuable experience both on and off the pitch. The period has given them time to adjust to their new environment and experience life on Ugandan soil.
Throughout their stay, they have enjoyed the weather and local cuisine, with the famous Ugandan Rolex and mandazi emerging among their favourite foods.
The Uganda Cubs have already qualified for the 2026 FIFA U17 World Cup in Qatar, scheduled for November, and Sebastian is hoping to secure a place in the final squad for the global tournament.
Oliver's Uganda Hippos, meanwhile, failed to qualify for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). However, at 18, he still has opportunities to pursue his ambition of representing Uganda at future international competitions.
The call-ups of the Fisher brothers, alongside other players of Ugandan heritage, follow a major heritage identification and player naturalisation drive launched by the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) to strengthen the Uganda Cranes ahead of the AFCON 2027 qualifiers and beyond.
