As the country was still celebrating the Uganda Cubs’ stellar performance in the just-concluded 2025 Fifa U-17 tournament in Qatar, the continental football governing body (Caf) awarded both President Yoweri Museveni and Fifa referee Shamirah Nabadda for their contributions to the game on the continent.
The 2025 Caf awards took place last week in Rabat, Morocco, at the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University. Two East African leaders, William Ruto and Samia Suluhu Hassan from Kenya and Tanzania, respectively, received recognition from Caf.
The trio got the Caf awards plaques for their passionate commitment to elevating African football not only in their respective countries but also on the continental level. This was also emphasised by Caf president Dr Patrice Motsepe, who lauded the trio for their tireless work, dedication, and passion for football development on the continent.
In August of this year, the three leaders united and hosted the successful Africa Football Championship (Chan 2024) under the Pamoja umbrella, and on top of that, they are supporting the preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
In Uganda, for example, President Museveni has given full support for the renovations and construction of various football facilities countrywide. These include the refurbished Mandela National Stadium (Namboole), which is on the final touches; the renovations are estimated at a tune of Shs 150bn, and the recently completed Hoima City Stadium cost the country nearly Shs 500bn.
Akii-Bua Stadium, on its part, is expected to be completed next year (2026), and the entire cost of the work is in the range of Shs 400bn. There are several other support training grounds that are under construction country-wide.
The development is unprecedented in a country which has been lagging behind in sports infrastructure in this region. So, President Museveni’s support and passion for having such ultra-modern sports facilities prompted Caf to recognise his effort.
REF NABADDA DESERVED RECOGNITION
In Rabat, Fifa referee Shamirah Nabadda stepped to the podium to receive the Caf award for the best female referee in the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (Cecafa) Zone.
On record, the Ugandan youthful referee has officiated in big tournaments for both 2024 and 2025. She officiated in the Women Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) 2024, then the Fifa U-17 Women’s World Cup in the Dominican Republic in October 2024 and the 2024 Olympic Games held in France.
Earlier in August, Nabadda was among the referees who officiated the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN), hosted by the three sister East African countries (Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania) under the Pamoja umbrella.
Her undoubted performance makes her one of the few Ugandan referees who have officiated in high-profile international tournaments. The list has Ali Tomusange (the only Ugandan referee to officiate in the Fifa World Cup).
He featured in the 2002 Fifa World Cup as an assistant referee. He officiated in a couple of games, including the controversial quarter-final game between Spain and hosts South Korea.
Tomusange also officiated in the 2000 Olympic Games held in Sydney, Australia. He also participated in major club football tournaments in Africa. There’s Charles Masembe, one of the most recognisable figures in Ugandan football because of his prowess with the whistle.
He featured in the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations. He was the centre referee in the 1996 Afcon final between hosts South Africa and Tunisia, which the former won 2-0, and two years later, he was in Burkina Faso, where he featured prominently in the 1998 tournament.
Earlier, Masembe had officiated in the 1994 Afcon in Tunisia. He also officiated in the Asian Youth Cup plus a host of continental club tournaments. Others, like Ahmed Segonga, George Wamala Katumba and Christopher Yolisigira, all officiated at various Afcon tournaments. Since the retirement of the above referees, Uganda is an outlier there.
The presence of Nabadda is set to revive Uganda’s lost glory. Given her strict adherence to football rules, intelligence, confidence, resilience and passion, Nabadda’s potential is boundless.
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