Fortebet Real Stars Monthly Awards: “Don’t Date Fellow Referees”- Former FIFA Referee Adipo Advise After Winning Life Achievers’ Accolode

By Kayiira Jackson 

Former FIFA referee and CAF/FIFA instructor Catherine Constance Adipo stole the spotlight at the ForteBet Real Stars Awards for July after receiving the Special Recognition Award, using the occasion to challenge more women to pursue refereeing with integrity and determination.

The awards, held on Tuesday at Nanjing Hotel in Kampala, celebrated outstanding Ugandan athletes who excelled on the international stage in swimming, archery, basketball and rally.

A pioneer in Ugandan female refereeing, Adipo earned her FIFA badge in 1995, officiated at the 2000 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (AWCON), and has since risen to become a CAF and FIFA refereeing instructor. Reflecting on her journey, she said she entered the profession to prove that women could thrive in what was then a male-dominated field.

“I am sure this is going to inspire many more to also aspire. I joined refereeing in 1989. I was more comfortable in men’s sport because I always wanted to excel in a male-dominated sport. I came to prove that I could also do it, and indeed I did. I have inspired many women to join refereeing,” Adipo said.

She urged aspiring female referees to uphold discipline and professionalism throughout their careers.

“Refereeing needs a woman who has integrity and, most of all, don’t date fellow referees,” she advised.

The ceremony also honoured Paralympic swimmer Husnah Kukundakwe, who won the Swimming Award following her silver medal in the SB8 100m Breaststroke at the Commonwealth Games.

Uganda Paralympic Committee Secretary Irene Nabiseke said the recognition would motivate athletes with disabilities to aim even higher.

“We are proud to receive these awards. They show that our work to develop para sports is being noticed,” Nabiseke said, before describing Kukundakwe as “the most disciplined athlete I have ever seen.”

In archery, Precious Allan Assimwe received the accolade after winning gold at the African Championships in Oran, Algeria.

The youngster, discovered in Kabale just two years ago, expressed gratitude after receiving his first major individual award.

“This is my first award like this. I thank Uganda Archery Association, my coach Aisha Namukwaya and the government for the support. It’s great to see talent from western Uganda being celebrated,” Assimwe said.

Uganda Archery Association president Richard Assimwe hailed the achievement, saying the continental gold medal marked “just the beginning” for the sport in Uganda.

The Uganda Women’s 3×3 national basketball team, the Gazelles, were recognised after making history by winning silver at the Commonwealth Games.

The quartet of Melissa Akullu, Jane Asinde, Jamila Nansikombi and Perus Nyamwenge reached the final after victories over Kenya, the Cayman Islands and Jamaica in the group stage, before defeating Tonga in the semifinals. They eventually settled for silver after losing to Australia in the final.

“It was a bumpy journey to Scotland, but we gained courage and confidence competing against the world’s top teams. Coming home with a medal, we glorify God,” Jane Asinde said.

Rally driver Hassan Alwi collected his third ForteBet Real Stars Award of the year alongside co-driver Musa Nsubuga.

Alwi attributed the success to teamwork and the support of sponsors, while Nsubuga noted that the recognition was proof that persistence pays off.

“This shows hard work pays off. We share the wins and the losses. Thank you to our families for supporting us in this risky sport,” Nsubuga said.