Meet the Scottish teenagers poised to represent Uganda

Scottish brothers set to wear Uganda colours

Teenage brothers Olly and Seb Fisher are on the brink of international football, but not for the nation where they were born. The 18‐year‐old goalkeeper and his 16‐year‐old striker sibling, who both play for Partick Thistle, have been invited to join Uganda’s under‐20 and under‐17 squads after a chance conversation sparked interest from the East African country six months ago, according to BBC Sport Scotland.

How the call‐up unfolded

The link between the Fisher family and Ugandan football began when their father met a football consultant at a match in Nigeria. That encounter led to an informal inquiry about the brothers’ eligibility, and the Ugandan FA reached out about half a year later, as reported by BBC Sport Scotland.

Because their mother, Kate, was born in Uganda, the brothers qualify for the national teams. Olly explained that his grandparents also spent several years in the country: “My gran and grandad lived out here for, I think, four or five years. My grandfather came out here to teach in a school then my mum was born here,” he told BBC Sport Scotland.

At the start of August, the Ugandan under‐20 and under‐17 coaches invited the Fisher twins to attend training camps. The brothers travelled to Jinja in Uganda’s eastern region, where they spent the last week training with the squads. They will remain for an additional week, with both describing the experience as “shocked” and “honoured”, per BBC Sport Scotland.

Players’ reactions

Seb, who operates as a striker, summed up his feelings: “I couldn’t believe it,” he said to BBC Sport Scotland. Olly, who guards the net, echoed the sentiment, noting that the call‐up felt surreal. Both brothers see the opportunity as a step toward the international recognition they have chased throughout their teenage careers.

Why the call‐up matters

If the Fisher brothers take the field for Uganda, they could become the first white players to represent the nation, a fact they highlighted themselves. Their eligibility underscores the increasingly global nature of football nationality rules, where parental birthplaces can open doors beyond a player’s country of residence.

The prospect also adds depth to Uganda’s youth programmes, which are actively scouting talent with Ugandan heritage worldwide. For the Fisher twins, the chance to compete at international level offers exposure that could accelerate their development at Partick Thistle and beyond.

What lies ahead

The brothers will complete a second week of training in Jinja before returning to Scotland. Their performances during the camps will determine whether they earn competitive caps for Uganda’s youth sides. Should they do so, the twins will join a growing list of diaspora players contributing to African football’s talent pool.

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Frequently asked questions

What eligibility allows the Fisher brothers to play for Uganda? Their mother, Kate, was born in Uganda, granting the brothers citizenship eligibility under FIFA’s nationality rules, as explained by BBC Sport Scotland.

When did the Ugandan Football Association first contact the brothers? Interest was sparked about six months ago after a conversation between their father and a football consultant in Nigeria, according to BBC Sport Scotland.

What are the brothers’ positions and current club? Olly Fisher, 18, is a goalkeeper and Seb Fisher, 16, is a striker; both are members of Partick Thistle’s youth set‐up, as reported by BBC Sport Scotland.