The defensive midfielder confirmed the decision in an official statement on Monday, 12 October 2026. Aucho made his international debut on 30 November 2013 and went on to become one of the most consistent and respected figures in the national team.
“Today, I officially announce my retirement from international football after an unforgettable 13-year journey representing my country, the Uganda Cranes,” Aucho said.
His career coincided with one of the most significant periods in recent Uganda Cranes history. He was part of the generation that ended a 38-year absence from the Africa Cup of Nations, featuring at the 2017 finals in Gabon. He also represented Uganda at the 2019 tournament in Egypt and captained the side at the 2025 AFCON in Morocco.
Aucho described wearing the black, yellow and red jersey and leading the national team as the greatest privilege of his life. He reflected on his humble beginnings, recalling how he worked as a young boy at the Bugembe market abattoir in Jinja while dreaming of hearing Uganda’s national anthem on the biggest football stages.
He paid tribute to the coaches who shaped his international career, including Milutin “Micho” Sredojević, Sébastien Desabre, Johnathan McKinstry and Paul Put, while offering special thanks to the late Fred Kajoba. Aucho also expressed gratitude to his teammates, whom he called brothers, and to the supporters whose backing sustained the team through difficult periods.
“While my journey on the pitch with the national team comes to an end, my commitment to Ugandan football remains unchanged. It is now time for a new generation of heroes to step forward, carry the flag, and write their own history,” he said. “I look forward to supporting them as one of Uganda’s biggest fans.”
At club level, Aucho has enjoyed a wide-ranging career across East Africa, southern Africa, North Africa, Asia and Europe. His clubs have included Jinja Municipal, Water FC and Simba in Uganda, Tusker and Gor Mahia in Kenya, Baroka in South Africa, El-Makasa in Egypt, East Bengal and Churchill Brothers in India, Red Star Belgrade and OFK Beograd in Serbia, Young Africans and Singida Black Stars in Tanzania.
He signed off his statement with the words: “I leave the national team with a heart full of gratitude, immense pride, and unbreakable love for my country. For God and My Country. Once A Crane, Always A Crane.”
Aucho’s retirement closes a significant chapter for the Uganda Cranes, leaving behind a legacy of durability, leadership and service to the national colours.