SOUTHEND United right-back Elvis Bwomono is celebrating his first international call-up for Uganda.

Bwomono’s form has been a bright spot in a tough season for Blues.

And Uganda boss Johnathan McKinstry has now opted to reward him with international recognition.

“We feel Elvis is a young player with a lot of potential,” McKinstry told Echosport.

“We’ve watched him in person and via the scouting methods online.

“We’re pleased with Elvis and we met with him in January too.

“I was able to sit down with him and had a conversation about his ambitions in the game which was good.

“He’s very level-headed and a mature young man which I feel will stand him in good stead as he looks to continue to forge a career in the professional game both domestically and at international level too.”

Bwomono was born in Uganda and lived in the African country until the age of three when his family moved to England.

Bwomono’s footballing talent soon began to emerge and he was first spotted by Queens Park Rangers before joining Blues at the age of 15.

The defender has worked his way through the ranks at Roots Hall and has been on the radar of the Ugandan national team for the past few months.

“We came across Elvis back when I came into this role in October when we were scouting who was available and who had the potential to play for the Ugandan national team,” said McKinstry.

“There aren’t many 21-year-olds who are approaching 100 professional games.

“League One is a very robust and challenging league but for a young man he’s got a lot of experience in a competitive league.

“Beyond that, while this season may not have gone the way Southend United and their fans would have wished, Elvis has been one of the leading performers in the team and has picked up the player of the month award on a number of occasions.”

Bwomono has started all but one of Blues’ League One matches this season.

And McKinstry feels the defender has what it takes to impress for his country.

“Elvis is very comfortable on the right hand side of the defence and he’s a traditional right-back really,” said McKinstry.

“He can get forward and put balls into the box with good quality but equally his defensive game is very strong.

“These are things which point towards him having an influence in the squad and growing with the Ugandan national team.

“That’s what we’re hoping for too.”

Bwomono has been included in the squad for Uganda's two games against South Sudan, meaning he will be away from the Shrimpers between March 23 and 31.