Three of Uganda’s top football referees Shamirah Nabadda, Lucky Kasalirwe, and Ronald Katenya have officially been selected to officiate at the upcoming 2024 TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN).
This major continental tournament will take place from August 2 to August 30, 2025, and will be co-hosted by Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania.
The exciting news was confirmed on July 18, 2025, following an announcement by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), which released the list of selected match officials.
A reliable source in Uganda confirmed this development to the media.
The source explained that these three Ugandan referees were chosen among a total of 26 referees, 26 assistant referees, and 18 Video Match Officials (VMOs) selected from across Africa to manage games during the tournament.
Meet the Ugandan Officials, Shamirah Nabadda – A FIFA-accredited referee and one of Uganda’s most respected and experienced female match officials.
Lucky Kasalirwe – A trusted FIFA referee with years of experience officiating at top continental competitions.
And Ronald Katenya – A skilled FIFA Assistant Referee, well known for his precision and professionalism.
“The CHAN tournament is unique because it features players who only play in their home national leagues. That makes it a great opportunity for local talent to shine on a bigger stage,” the source told the media.
This year’s edition is particularly special for Uganda, as it will not only be participating but also co-hosting the tournament alongside neighbors Kenya and Tanzania.
“This is a proud moment for Uganda. The selection of our referees shows the region’s growing reputation in African football,” an official from the Uganda Football Referees Association said.
The source also emphasized that this achievement highlights Uganda’s growing influence not just in football performance, but also in sports management and officiating.
It’s not just the players who are putting Uganda on the map referees like Nabadda, Kasalirwe, and Katenya are making the country proud too.
The CHAN 2024 tournament will kick off on August 2, featuring teams from all over Africa competing for glory, while Uganda’s top officials help ensure the matches are fair, professional, and world-class.
