By Nabakiibi Doreen Malaika
Ugandan referee Shamirah Nabadda has been named the 2025 CAF Female Referee of the Year, earning recognition for a steady rise built on years of work both at home and on international duty.
Early Life and Introduction to Football
Born on 26 September 1995, Nabadda first engaged with football at Masaka Secondary School, where she played as a left-back. During those years, she developed an interest in the rules of the game, which eventually steered her toward refereeing.
Her interest was supported by Abbas Sendyowa, a FUFA delegate and family friend, who encouraged her to pursue the profession seriously.
Training and Entry into Officiating
She later joined a refereeing course at the FUFA Technical Centre in Njeru, which opened the path to formal officiating.
In 2016, she obtained her FUFA National Referee badge and became the youngest female centre referee to officiate an Uganda Premier League game the match between KCCA and Masavu.
Two years later, in 2018, she earned her FIFA badge, placing her among Uganda’s internationally certified referees.
Domestic and International Assignments
Over the past decade, Nabadda has handled several key fixtures in Uganda, including the Stanbic Uganda Cup Final, and has been deployed to a wide range of competitions across Africa and beyond.
Career Highlights
- Officiated at the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) Served at the CAF Women’s Champions League and various CAF youth tournaments, Handled World Cup qualifiers
- Worked as a support referee at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, Officiated at the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup 2024, Took charge of matches at CHAN 2024, including the bronze-medal match between Senegal and Sudan.
These assignments have contributed to her visibility in CAF and FIFA appointments.
At the CAF Awards Gala in Rabat, Morocco, Nabadda was announced the 2025 CAF Female Referee of the Year.
CAF highlighted her:
- Steady performance.
- Professionalism.
- Decision accuracy, and
- Ability to manage high-pressure matches.
For Uganda, the recognition adds to the growing list of officials appearing at high-level tournaments.
Looking Ahead
Nabadda has expressed interest in continuing to build her career and hopes to officiate at senior AFCON and FIFA Women’s World Cup tournaments in the coming.
