Rabat, Morocco: Uganda’s celebrated FIFA referee Shamirah Nabadda has been crowned the 2025 CAF Women’s Referee of the Year, securing one of the continent’s top officiating honours at a glittering awards gala held on Monday night.
The 29-year-old’s victory caps a remarkable year in which she handled major continental and global tournaments, including the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) jointly hosted by Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania, reaffirming her place among Africa’s most trusted referees.
The award elevates Nabadda among candidates being closely considered for officiating roles at the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada, a milestone that would mark another breakthrough for Ugandan officiating.
CAF’s annual awards celebrate elite performers across African football, from Player of the Year to national team honours. Nabadda’s triumph places her alongside the continent’s biggest stars recognised at the Rabat ceremony.
A Rapid Rise From Masaka to the Global Stage
Nabadda’s officiating journey began at Masaka Secondary School, where she first played football before shifting into refereeing. She earned her FUFA National Referee badge in 2016 and her FIFA badge in 2018, rising swiftly through domestic and international ranks.
In the Uganda Premier League, she made history at just 23, becoming the youngest female centre referee after taking charge of the KCCA vs Masavu fixture. She has since officiated high-profile matches including the 2024 Stanbic Uganda Cup Final.
Her international résumé spans the CAF Women’s Champions League, WAFCON, Olympic qualifiers, FIFA World Cup qualifiers, and several CAF youth competitions.
In July 2024, Nabadda was appointed centre referee for the WAFCON semi-final between South Africa and Nigeria, one of the tournament’s biggest fixtures—widely viewed as CAF’s vote of confidence in her rising stature.
She has also officiated at the 2022 WAFCON, 2023 All Africa Games, World University Games, Napoli (2019) and the most recent CECAFA Women’s Senior Championship.
In August 2024, FIFA named her among match officials for the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in the Dominican Republic, making her the first Ugandan referee to officiate at that tournament.
Ugandan sports officials have consistently praised Nabadda for her calm authority, consistency and professionalism, traits that have earned her appointments to some of the toughest assignments in African football.
Her latest accolade cements Uganda’s growing influence in global officiating and continues to inspire young women seeking pathways into refereeing.
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