Lawrence Ssempijja is an elated lad ever since he first made the cut to the 14-man Cricket Cranes side that will represent at the ICC Africa Division One Twenty20 Qualifier from March 28 - April 4 in Benoni, South Africa.
“Playing for the national team has always been my dream,” the Charity Trust Fund all-rounder told Daily Monitor recently. “This is my opportunity that I take with both hands.”
Ssempijja’s breakthrough came at the expense of seven senior players who were dropped after the failed January ICC World Cricket League (WCL) Division Two showpiece in Namibia. 
And the Senior Six vacationist knows he has to put in a great deal of effort and consistent performances if he is to keep his place even after South Africa. 
“I need to work harder than before if I am to stay on the national front until my late age,” said Ssempijja - a fanatic of legendary Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar.
“I made it to the national side because of my discipline and work ethic and for that matter, I need to perfect both aspects.”
Ssempijja’s decent variation of medium pace deliveries makes him a key talent for the team. He hopes to help Uganda earn one of the two available tickets to the Global T20 Qualifier in Scotland. 
“Ability to offer diverse deliveries can help keep us up the ranks. And even though I am bowler, I can bat and score runs while I fully experience what Team Uganda endures at the global stage,” 
Voted MVP at the 2013 ICC U-19 Africa WC Qualifiers, Ssempijja first held the bat and ball 10 years ago while at East Kololo P/S. He is the third member of his family to make the national folder after mentor Ronald Ssemanda and assistant captain Henry Ssenyondo. 
“Both of them have encouraged right from the time I was young and I believe I haven’t let them down.” His sibling Simon Ssesaazi is a reserve player for the Benoni-bound side.

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