Ugandan referee Shamirah Nabadda has revealed that she was deeply moved by the fans’ support while officiating the third-place match at the African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 between Senegal and Sudan.
Serving as the centre referee in the match, which Senegal ultimately won 4-2 on penalties, Nabadda received cheers from fans throughout the encounter at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole.
In a heartfelt post on X (formerly Twitter) shared on Wednesday, the 33-year-old referee expressed gratitude to Ugandan fans for their energy and encouragement.
“Thank you, Ugandan fans, for your incredible support! Your energy and enthusiasm mean the world to me. I’m honoured to have had you cheering me on in the CHAN 2024 3rd place match,” Nabadda wrote.
She added, “I had never seen a referee being cheered my whole life. It meant everything to me.”
Nabadda was one of three Ugandan match officials selected by Caf for CHAN 2024, co-hosted by Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania last month. Throughout the tournament, she displayed composure, consistency, and world-class game-management skills.
Her rise in refereeing has been remarkable. She has officiated at top international tournaments, including the Caf Women’s Champions League, Wafcon, Olympic qualifiers, and Fifa World Cup qualifiers.
At the 2024 Paris Olympics, the 29-year-old top referee made history as the first female Ugandan referee to officiate at the Games.
Nabadda’s career began at Masaka Secondary School, where she played football. She earned her Fufa national badge in 2016 and her Fifa badge in 2018, quickly transitioning into domestic and international refereeing roles.
In Uganda, she became the youngest female centre referee in the top flight at age 23, officiating the KCCA vs. Masavu match, and has also handled high-profile assignments like the 2024 Stanbic Uganda Cup final.
