Life is a journey decimated and artistically punctuated by hard work tales, hitches and sheer luck.
In the face of referee William Wilberforce ‘Engineer’ Oloya, the diligent referee could boldly attest to the aforementioned aspects without shame or any fear.
Tales that include years of committed and dedicated efforts of refereeing in the various domestic competitions, attending the elite refereeing course to serving punishments for ‘mistakes conducted’ , Oloya has finally landed to the ‘promised land’.
This comes with the latest appointment as a FIFA accredited referee for the up coming epoch, January to December 2018.
Tough albeit jovial, Oloya is among the 5 male referees who will wear with pride the prestigious FIFA badge every time they are officiating football matches domestically and internationally.
Celebrated Brian Miiro Nsubuga, the only Uganda appointed for the 2018 CHAN tournament in Morocco maintains the status quo.
The others are Alex Muhabi, Mashood Ssali and Ali Sabilla Chelangat.
The Okello duo of Lee and Dick are among the 6 assistant referees on the treasured list.
Other male assistant referees include Mark Ssonko, Ronald Katenya, Musa Balikoowa Ngobi and Issa Masembe.
There is a surprise and shocking name in Shamirah ‘Keko’ Nabadda among the female referees.
A meteoric rise over the years for Nabadda has since her graduate through the different ranks from handling local ‘village’ matches to now the FIFA badge with the ease of a free falling object paying keen respect to gravitational forces.
The other two female referees are the immensely experienced pair of Aisha Nabikko Ssemmambo and Habiba Naigaga.
The list for the women assistant referees needs no introduction since they are same old faces maintained.
The tried, tested and proven Lydia Nantabo Wanyama is joined by the robust Catherine Cynthia Nagaddya, Marex Nakitto Nkumbi and Jane Mutonyi for the 2018 FIFA Women assistant referee badges.
The trio of Ivan Kintu Bayige, Shafic Mugerwa and Muhammad Ssenteza is maintained among the beach soccer referees with FIFA Badges.
Shock Omissions:
Experienced Denis Batte and the once athletic Anna Akoyi miss out on the 2018 badges.
Akoyi has of late being troubled by a painful knee whilst Batte’s omission remains a complex scenario to elucidate for the ordinary lee man.
In a nut shell, there are 21 FIFA referees from Uganda.
The badges take effect January to December 2018.
Uganda FIFA referees 2018:
- Male referees: Miiro Brian Nsubuga, Alex Muhabi, Mashood Ssali, Ali Sabilla Chelangat and William Oloya
- Assistant referees: Mark Ssonko, Lee Okello, Ronald Katenya, Dick Okello, Musa Balikoowa Ngobi and Issa Masembe
- Women referees: Ssemmambo Aisah Nabikko, Naigaga Habiba and Nabadda Shamirah
- Women Assistant referees: Lydia Nantabo Wanyama, Catherine Cynthia Nagaddya, Marex Nakitto Nkumbi and Jane Mutonyi
- Beach Soccer: Ivan Kintu Bayige, Shafic Mugerwa and Muhammad Ssenteza