Uganda’s top female referee, Shamirah Nabadda, has once again earned a call-up to officiate at the 2025 TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), set to take place in Morocco this July.
While her selection is a proud moment for Ugandan football, it’s far from her first time on the big stage.
In fact, this will be Nabadda’s second appearance at the continent’s premier women’s football tournament.
She made her WAFCON debut in 2022, the same year the Crested Cranes returned to the competition after a 22-year absence.
In that tournament, Nabadda took charge of the Group B fixture between Zambia and Togo, where she awarded a penalty that contributed to the Copper Queens’ 4-1 victory, helping them top the group.
Her composure and control in the middle of the park drew praise from CAF and fans alike.
Refereeing remains a male-dominated sphere globally, but Nabadda has carved out her place as Uganda’s most prominent match official, consistently featuring in both men’s and women’s competitions at the highest level.
Since 2022, her international portfolio has expanded significantly.
She has officiated at several prestigious tournaments, including the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, and the 2023 African Games.
Her growing experience on the global scene underlines her elite status among Africa’s finest referees.
Domestically, she was recently in the spotlight as the centre referee for the 2024 Stanbic Uganda Cup final, where Vipers SC secured a 2-0 win over KCCA FC at Kadiba Stadium.
For Nabadda, officiating at WAFCON is no longer a dream, it’s becoming routine.
And for Ugandan football, her journey continues to raise the bar and inspire the next generation of referees.
