Women breaking barriers: Nabadda shines as referee at CHAN 2024
By Joel Masibo, August 28, 2025Uganda’s Shamirrah Nabadda is smoothly transitioning from footballer to referee after making her name in Uganda’s women’s premier league. Nabadda continues to break barriers by officiating on major stages, including the ongoing 2024 Total Energies African Nations Championship (CHAN 2024).
At just 33, Nabadda is among the referees taking charge at the ongoing CHAN PAMOJA 2024 edition in East Africa. This comes after an already distinguished career that includes appearances at the Olympic Games, the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, and the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
From Playing to Officiating
Like many girls in Kampala, Nabadda’s early years were spent chasing footballs through dusty streets. She eventually broke into the country’s top division with Western United. Her career, however, shifted course after she enrolled in a refereeing course run by the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA).
What began as curiosity soon became a passion.
“The last three years have been simply superb for me. I have made so many achievements, and I am really proud. Looking back, I don’t have regrets for switching from playing to refereeing,” Nabadda told CAFOnline ahead of the CHAN final on Saturday, August 30, 2027, at Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi.
Her first Ugandan Premier League fixture came in 2016 between KCCA and Masavu, the same year she received her FUFA badge. Just two years later, she earned her FIFA credentials, which opened doors to World Cup qualifiers and African tournaments.
Her major breakthrough came at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where she became the first Ugandan woman, and only the second Ugandan after Ali Tomusange in 2000, to officiate at the Games. That historic feat cemented her status as one of the continent’s brightest refereeing prospects.
Reflection and challenges
Reflecting on her progress, Nabadda told CAFOnline: “This is a nice experience, but still challenging. The competition is really tough and intense, and physically, you have to be at the same level as men. It requires developing yourself constantly; learning, unlearning, and pushing your limits. That honesty reflects the daily demands of her role. Men are stubborn compared to women,” she says with a grin. As a female referee, I need to have personality and presence. The boys can be crazy. One small thing, and they’re all on you with pressure and words. You need to manage that calmly.”
Nabadda has officiated high-pressure encounters, including the WAFCON semi-final between Nigeria and South Africa, where she earned praise for her composure. At CHAN, she continues to prove herself in men’s football.