[2] The tournament was originally planned to consist of 13 T20I matches, with the sides facing each other four times in a round-robin stage, followed by a final between the top two teams.

The tournament provided preparation for all sides ahead of T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier events took place in October and November 2021.

[4] Ahead of the T20I tournament, Uganda and Kenya played a three-match 50-over series in preparation for Cricket World Cup Challenge League events scheduled later in 2021.

[5][6] Kenya defeated their hosts in the first unofficial One Day International (ODI), recording a comfortable win by 78 runs.

[11][12] On 12 September 2021 Cricket Uganda announced that Deusdedit Muhumuza would take over as captain for the remainder of the tournament after Brian Masaba withdrew from the squad due to injury.