Uganda’s very own Shamirah Nabadda is proudly flying the national flag at the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) tournament, co-hosted by Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania.
Alongside fellow Ugandan officials Lucky Kasalirwe and Assistant Referee Ronald Katenya, Nabadda is representing the Pearl of Africa on one of African football’s biggest stages.
She recently officiated the match between Madagascar and Mauritania in Dar es Salaam, which ended in a goalless draw.
A Rising Star in African Refereeing
Fresh from officiating at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and the 2024 Olympics in Paris, Nabadda is proving to be one of Uganda’s fastest-rising referees.
Her journey began in 2018, when she made headlines as the youngest-ever female centre referee in Uganda’s top-flight league at just 23 years old, managing a high-stakes game between KCCA FC and Masavu FC.
Journalist Turned Referee
Before the whistle and the FIFA badge, Shamirah Nabadda was chasing a different dream.
She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Bishop Stuart University. Interestingly, she was once a football player herself, starting out at Masaka S.S. and later playing for Western United in Uganda’s top-tier women’s league.
However, her curious nature about football rules caught attention, and in 2015, she was recommended to take up refereeing by family friend and former FUFA delegate Abbas Sendyowa (RIP). That decision changed her life.
From local tournaments to CAF Women’s Champions League, AFCON, the Olympics, and now CHAN 2024, Nabadda continues to shatter glass ceilings.
“I Played for Fun, But Loved the Rules More”
Speaking in a past interview, she said:
“I simply played football to enjoy myself. Nothing else. However, I was also very keen about the rules of the game, and this used to baffle my teammates.”
That “kajanja” is exactly what has made her a star.
Uganda Salutes You, Nabadda
Shamirah Nabadda is more than just a referee she is an inspiration to many young Ugandan girls dreaming of making it big in sports.
Her journey proves that passion, curiosity, and discipline can take you from Masaka to the world stage.
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