Uganda’s Shamirah Nabadda Named CAF Female Referee of the Year

Rabat, Morocco — Ugandan referee Shamirah Nabadda has been named CAF Female Referee of the Year. This continental honour cements her status as one of Africa’s leading football officials and marks another historic achievement in her fast-rising career.

The announcement was made at the star-studded CAF Awards 2025 ceremony held in Rabat, Morocco.

The East African Community (EAC) celebrated her win as a triumph for the region, noting that the recognition comes at a symbolic moment as East Africa prepares to co-host AFCON 2027.

“EAC congratulates… Shamirah Nabadda – Best Female Referee of the Year. As the region prepares to co-host AFCON 2027, their recognition is a powerful signal of EAC’s rising stature in continental football,” the regional bloc said.

A Rising Star in African Officiating

Nabadda, born in Mbarara in 1995, has risen through football’s refereeing ranks with remarkable speed. From playing left back at Masaka Secondary School to earning her FIFA badge in 2018, she has become a fixture in top-tier tournaments across Africa and beyond.

She made history in 2024 as the first Ugandan woman to officiate at the Olympic Games, serving as a support referee at the Paris Olympics—an achievement she described at the time as “a dream for every referee.”

Her resume now includes assignments at the Africa Women’s Cup of Nations, the CAF Women’s Champions League, the CHAN 2024 finals, and an appointment for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2024 in the Dominican Republic. “This award is for Uganda and every young girl with a dream”

Sports analysts say Nabadda’s recognition comes at a perfect moment for the region. With East Africa set to host its first-ever Africa Cup of Nations in 2027, her rise reflects the region’s growing influence in the sport.

From Local Tournaments to the Continent’s Biggest Stage

Nabadda’s journey began humbly, officiating low-tier tournaments after a short refereeing course recommended by FUFA delegate Abbas Sendyowa. Her talent earned quick recognition; by 2016, she was officiating at the Copa Coca-Cola schools tournament, where she was voted Best Referee.

FUFA later promoted her to the Big League and then to the Uganda Premier League, where she has become one of the most respected match officials.

CAF AWARDS 2025 WINNERS

CAF PLAYER OF THE YEAR (MEN)

Achraf Hakimi (Morocco / Paris Saint-Germain)

CAF PLAYER OF THE YEAR (WOMEN)

Ghizlane Chebbak (Morocco / Al Hilal)

CAF GOALKEEPER OF THE YEAR (MEN)

Yassine Bounou (Morocco / Al Hilal)

CAF GOALKEEPER OF THE YEAR (WOMEN)

Chiamaka Nnadozie (Nigeria / Brighton & Hove Albion)

CAF INTERCLUB PLAYER OF THE YEAR (MEN)

Fiston Mayele (DR Congo / Pyramids)

CAF YOUNG PLAYER OF THE YEAR (MEN)

Othmane Maamma (Morocco / Watford)

CAF YOUNG PLAYER OF THE YEAR (WOMEN)

Doha El Madani (Morocco / AS FAR)

CAF COACH OF THE YEAR (MEN)

Bubista (Cape Verde)

CAF NATIONAL TEAM OF THE YEAR (MEN)

Morocco Under-20

CAF NATIONAL TEAM OF THE YEAR (WOMEN) 

Nigeria

CAF CLUB OF THE YEAR (MEN)

Pyramids (Egypt)

REFEREE OF THE YEAR (MEN)

Omar Abdulkadir (Somalia)

ASSISTANT REFEREE OF THE YEAR (MEN)

Liban Abdoulrazack (Djibouti)

REFEREE OF THE YEAR (WOMEN)

Shamirah Nabadda (Uganda)

ASSISTANT REFEREE OF THE YEAR (WOMEN)

Tabara Mbodji (Senegal)