Uganda’s trailblazing FIFA referee Shamira Nabadda continues to rise on the continental stage, only days after being crowned CAF Referee of the Year.
Her remarkable progress has been rewarded with a place on the officiating team for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, making her the sole Ugandan referee selected for the prestigious tournament.
Nabadda joins an elite cast of 72 officials chosen from across Africa, including referees, assistant referees and Video Match Officials.
The CECAFA region will be represented by Burundi’s Pacifique Ndahibawenimana, Kenya’s Peter Waweru Kamaku, Rwanda’s Samuel Uwikunda, Somalia’s Omar Abdulkadir Artan, and Sudan’s Mahmood Ali Mahmood Ismail.
In total, the list features 31 assistant referees and 14 VMOs, underscoring CAF’s commitment to high-level officiating standards.
Meanwhile, on the pitch, Uganda is preparing for a challenging campaign after being drawn in Group C alongside African heavyweights Nigeria, Tunisia, and regional rivals Tanzania.
The Uganda Cranes will launch their AFCON mission against Tunisia on 23 December 2025 at the Rabat Olympic Stadium.
Host nation Morocco will set the tone for the tournament when they take on Comoros in the opening match on 21 December 2025 at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
AFCON 2025 will unfold between 21 December 2025 and 18 January 2026, spread across six Moroccan cities and nine world-class venues, promising a festive month of top-tier African football.
