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CAF'S FINEST: SHAMIRAH NABADDA APPOINTED REFEREE FOR AFCON 2025

CAF's Best Female Referee Shamirah Nabadda selected for AFCON 2025. Discover her historic journey and Uganda's group.

CAF's Finest: Shamirah Nabadda Appointed Referee for AFCON 2025
Nabadda Confirmed to Officiate AFCON 2025

Uganda's Shamirah Nabadda is heading to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco as one of 73 referees selected for the job. She's the only one from Uganda.

Nabadda recently won the CAF Best Female Referee of the Year 2025 in Rabat. At just 30, she's become a respected figure in African refereeing, especially in a profession where men are the majority.

AFCON 2025 will have 28 main referees, 31 assistants, and 14 video officials. Nabadda's presence is noteworthy, considering her strong performance this past year managing important matches all over Africa.

She showed her skill in high-stress situations at the U20 AFCON, the 2024 CHAN tournament, and the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. At the CHAN tournament, she was in charge of the bronze medal match between Senegal and Sudan.

Nabadda was also among the ten African referees at the 2024 Paris Olympics, making history as the first Ugandan woman and only the second Ugandan since 2000 to work at the Games.

Born in Mbarara City to Quraish Mutagubya and Mastula Birungi, she played left-back for Masaka Secondary School before joining Western United in the FUFA Elite Women’s League. After finishing Senior Six in 2015, the late Abbas Sendyowa encouraged her to take a refereeing course at the FUFA Technical Centre in Njeru. That choice changed everything.

By 2016, she had her FUFA badge, and in 2018, she earned her FIFA badge, opening doors to international matches. Since then, she has taken part in the WAFCON, All Africa Games, World University Games, World Cup qualifiers, and many FUFA tournaments.

Nabadda also got a journalism degree from Bishop Stuart University while moving forward in her refereeing career.

Other referees from the CECAFA zone include Pacifique Ndahibawenimana from Burundi, Peter Waweru Kamaku from Kenya, Samuel Uwikunda from Rwanda, Omar Abdulkadir Artan from Somalia, and Mahmood Ali Mahmood Ismail from Sudan.

Uganda is in Group C with Nigeria, Tunisia, and Tanzania. The Uganda Cranes will play Tunisia on December 23, 2025, at the Rabat Olympic Stadium.

AFCON 2025 will be held in Morocco from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, in six cities and nine stadiums. The tournament starts with Morocco against Comoros at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium on December 21. Ivory Coast is the defending champion.

UGANDA NETBALL: SHE CRANES FOLLOW KENYA WIN WITH HUGE VICTORY OVER ZIMBABWE

The She Cranes secured a massive 60-38 victory over the Zimbabwe Gems, dominating after the first quarter tie. Uganda's second win sets up a clash with Namibia.

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She Cranes Crush Zimbabwe 60-38 in Africa Netball Cup

Uganda's She Cranes played a great game, beating Zimbabwe's Gems 60-38 in their second Africa Netball Cup match.

After a tied first quarter, the She Cranes took charge and won their second game in a row in Lilongwe, Malawi.

The first quarter was close, ending 12-12, which hinted at a tough match. But Uganda quickly turned things around and controlled the next three quarters.

After narrowly defeating Kenya 46-45 in their first game, the She Cranes began the second quarter by scoring off an early turnover to take a two-goal lead. They kept the pressure on the Gems, forcing three turnovers in four minutes, but Zimbabwe managed to stay close.

As halftime approached, defenders Gloria Aya and Shaffie Nalwanja made important intercepts, helping Uganda increase their lead to 26-20 at the half.

In the third quarter, Uganda really found their groove. The defence, with Shaffie, Aya, and Kadondi, was tough, causing many turnovers as Zimbabwe struggled with Uganda’s intensity. Lillian Achola's entry at wing attack brought speed and accuracy to the shooters, and the Gems had no answers.

Goal shooter Shadia Nassanga's accurate shots helped Uganda increase their lead, outscoring Zimbabwe by a large margin and entering the final quarter ahead 45-26.

In the final quarter, the She Cranes kept up their strong defence and smooth play. The Gems seemed overwhelmed and made more mistakes. Uganda could have won by an even bigger difference, but a slight lack of focus on offence in the last five minutes caused them to lose three centre passes. Even so, Nakitto's fresh energy on defence made sure Zimbabwe never caught up.

Uganda easily secured a 59-38 win, their second in two games.

The She Cranes will now rest before playing Namibia on Thursday to finish their group games.

Meanwhile, Uganda’s men’s team, The Rock, plays Zimbabwe tomorrow after beating Botswana 40-39 earlier today in their first match.

DONE DEAL: UGANDA CUBS STARS JAMES BOGERE & HAMZA SENGOOBA SIGN PRO CONTRACTS WITH DANISH LEADERS AGF

Ugandan youth stars James Bogere and Hamza Sengooba have signed their first long-term professional contracts, joining Danish Superliga leaders Aarhus GF's U19 team in February 2026.

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Bogere's AFCON Prep Before Joining AGF U19S.

James Bogere and Hamza Sengooba, two rising Ugandan soccer players, are moving up fast. They just signed their first pro contracts with Aarhus Gymnastikforening (AGF), a top club in Denmark.

Two teenage soccer players from Uganda are heading to Europe. Bogere James and Sengooba Hamza, both from El Cambio Soccer Academy and Masaka Sunshine Football Club, have signed transfer deals to play for Aarhus Gymnastikforening (AGF). AGF is currently in first place in the Danish league. El Cambio shared their excitement on social media, saying they're excited to see what the future holds for these young men.

Both players were part of the Uganda Cubs team that played in the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar. Bogere had some great moments, including scoring two goals during group play to help the team advance. He scored against Canada and France, and Uganda made it to the round of 32 before losing to Burkina Faso. Ssengooba, a defender, also played well during the tournament.

Bogere is now with the Uganda Cranes team, getting ready for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

About AGF Aarhus:

Full Name: Aarhus Gymnastikforening

Location: Aarhus, Denmark

Nicknames: De hviie (The Whites), Byens hold (The City’s Team)

Home Field: Ceres Park (Aarhus Stadium)

Men’s Team: Plays in the Danish Superliga, coached by Jakob Poulsen

Current Status: They’re leading the Danish Superliga with 40 points from 18 games (12 wins, 4 draws, 2 losses).

History: They’re one of the oldest clubs in Denmark and have won a lot of trophies.

With AGF doing so well in Denmark and these talented Ugandan players joining them, it will be interesting to see what happens with Bogere and Sengooba

Bogere James and Hamza Sengooba are joining AGF in Denmark during the next transfer window.

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