The Ali Tomusange Award for Best Referee 2024

In Uganda’s footballing jungle, where passions roar louder than vuvuzelas and tempers flare
hotter than a Kampala boda ride at rush hour, it takes a special breed of human to maintain
order with just a whistle. That breed is called a referee — and none has ever flown higher with
the flag and badge quite like Ali Tomusange.

With a résumé thicker than a Rolex roll, Tomusange is widely considered Uganda’s most
decorated referee. From handling the fiery Al Ahly vs. Zamalek clashes to taking charge at the
2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea, his legacy is unmatched. So, it’s only fitting that
Uganda’s most prestigious refereeing honor — The Ali Tomusange Award for Best Referee —
bears his name.

Now, four brave and brilliant whistle-blowers step into the spotlight. They’ve calmed the chaos, ruled the drama, and made game-changing calls. Let’s meet the nominees who’ve tamed the beautiful beast that is Ugandan football.

Shamirah Nabadda: The Iron Lady in Boots
If football is war, then Shamirah Nabadda is the general — calm, commanding, and unshakably
composed. Whether it’s barking orders at league titans in Lugogo or charming world audiences
at the 2024 FIFA Women’s World Cup in the Dominican Republic, Nabadda never misses a step — or a card.

From Masaka SS to Bishop Stuart University, her rise has been meteoric. She officiated at
CECAFA, WAFCON, the African Women’s Champions League, and even the men’s football at the Paris 2024 Olympics (yes, you read that right!). And despite towering players and snarky
fans, Nabadda stands firm — a living paradox: soft-spoken off the pitch, fire-breathing on it.
Uganda’s queen of the whistle? Absolutely. A finalist for the Tomusange Award? Deservedly so.

Kasalirwe Lucky Razake: Mr. Consistency with a Veterinary Twist

With 11 years of refereeing under his belt and a career that stretches from the dusty school
grounds to Masaza Cup glory, Kasalirwe Lucky Razake is a name you’ll often hear in both
football and… livestock clinics? Yes — when he’s not enforcing offside rules, he’s likely treating
a cow. A Grade One referee and veterinary assistant? Talk about multitasking!

From the 2022 & 2024 Masaza Cup finals to CECAFA qualifiers and the University Football
League (where he’s basically a permanent fixture), Lucky has proven to be reliable, respected, and razor-sharp. Don’t be fooled by his mild manner; his cards come out quicker than a bodaboda evading a traffic officer.

Asadu Ssemere: The Chief Justice of the Whistle

Move over courtroom judges — Asadu Ssemere delivers verdicts faster than you can say
“penalty denied!” Nicknamed the Chief Justice of the Whistle, Ssemere has presided over
football battles with the poise of a High Court judge and the swagger of a dancehall emcee.

From the 2018 Masaza Cup final to the 2023 Bika Bya Baganda decider, his gavel — sorry,
whistle — brings law and order. An accountant by profession (because counting cards and coins go hand in hand), Ssemere is Grade A in every sense. When chaos looms, trust Ssemere to restore order with the flick of a wrist and a sharp blast.

Outek Daniel Moses Uhuru: The Rising Star from the North East

If refereeing had a Rookie of the Year award, Outek Daniel would already have a shelf full. The
young gun from the North East region is climbing the ladder faster than a winger on the break. Assertive, athletic, and never afraid to make the big calls, Outek has a knack for reading the game — and the room — better than most.

From the 2024 University Football League final to FEASSA in Rwanda and East African university duels, Outek is everywhere. He’s got a Prisons Officer’s discipline, a sprinter’s
stamina, and the cool of a seasoned diplomat. Expect him to be a mainstay on this list for years.

The Verdict: When Greatness Meets the Whistle
Each of these nominees has the poise, passion, and precision that Tomusange himself
embodied. Whether it’s Nabadda schooling men on the global stage, Kasalirwe commanding
domestic finals with surgical accuracy, Ssemere laying down the law, or Outek sprinting into the
future — Uganda’s refereeing future is in safe, stern hands.

So, who takes the crown in 2024?

The referees have spoken. The players have obeyed. And the fans have roared.
Let the best whistle win!