Former FIFA referee and CAF/FIFA instructor Catherine Constance Adipo headlined the July ForteBet Real Stars Awards, receiving the prestigious Special Recognition (Lifetime Achievement) Award in honour of her outstanding contribution to football officiating and women’s empowerment in sport.
The awards ceremony, held on Tuesday at Nanjing Hotel in Kampala, celebrated Ugandan athletes and sports personalities who produced exceptional performances on the international stage in swimming, archery, basketball and rallying.
Adipo, one of Uganda’s pioneering female referees, used the occasion to encourage more women to venture into refereeing while stressing the importance of integrity, discipline and professionalism.
Having begun her refereeing career in 1989, Adipo earned her FIFA badge in 1995, officiated at the 2000 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (AWCON) and has since established herself as a respected CAF and FIFA refereeing instructor.
Reflecting on her trailblazing career, Adipo said she deliberately chose football officiating to prove women could excel in a field traditionally dominated by men.
“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 the next generation of female referees to build careers founded on integrity and professionalism.
“Refereeing needs a woman who has integrity and, most of all, don’t date fellow referees,” she advised.
The ceremony also recognised Paralympic swimmer Husnah Kukundakwe, who scooped the Swimming Award after winning a historic silver medal in the SB8 100m Breaststroke at the Commonwealth Games.
Receiving the accolade on Kukundakwe’s behalf, Uganda Paralympic Committee Secretary Irene Nabiseke said the recognition reflected the growing profile of para sports in Uganda.
“We are proud to receive these awards. They show that our work to develop para sports is being noticed,” Nabiseke said.
She also paid glowing tribute to Kukundakwe, describing her as “the most disciplined athlete I have ever seen.”
In archery, Precious Allan Assimwe claimed the monthly accolade after winning gold at the African Championships in Oran, Algeria, becoming one of Uganda’s latest continental champions.
The youngster, who was 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 Asiimwe hailed the achievement, insisting the continental gold medal was only the beginning for the sport’s rise in Uganda.
The Uganda Women’s 3×3 national basketball team, the Gazelles, were honoured after making history by winning silver at the Commonwealth Games.
The team of Melissa Akullu, Jane Asinde, Jamila Nansikombi and Perus Nyamwenge impressed throughout the tournament, defeating Kenya, the Cayman Islands and Jamaica in the group stages before overcoming Tonga in the semifinals. Their remarkable run ended with a silver medal 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.
In rallying, Hassan Alwi claimed his third ForteBet Real Stars Award of the year, alongside co-driver Musa Nsubuga, following another impressive month on the local motorsport scene.
Alwi credited the achievement to teamwork and the unwavering support of his sponsors.
“It’s a team effort. Thank you to our sponsors,” Alwi said.
Nsubuga added that the award was a testament to persistence and sacrifice.
“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,” he said.
The July edition of the ForteBet Real Stars Awards once again showcased the breadth of Uganda’s sporting excellence, with Adipo’s Lifetime Achievement Award serving as a fitting tribute to a woman whose pioneering journey continues to inspire future generations of referees and women in sport.
