Catherine Adipo

Catherine Adipo (also referred to as Catherine Constance Adipo[1] and Catherine Adipo Wejuli[2]) is a Ugandan sportswoman, sports administrator and the first female FIFA referee in Uganda as well as East and Central Africa.[3]

Background and education

Adipo is one of 16 children born to the late Reverend Canon Kezironi Wejuli and Abisiagi Wejuli.[4]

Adipo attended Busia Integrated School, Mt.St.Mary's College, Namagunga[5] and King's College Budo. She graduated from Makerere University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Geography and Languages in 1987. She also holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Education still from Makerere University[4] and a Master's degree in Sports science from Kyambogo University.[6]

Career

Playing career

• Featured as a centre for local volleyball club Kampala Amateur Volleyball Club (KAVC)[7]
• 1982 – national ladies team captain (volleyball)

Professional career

• 1988 – games mistress and football coach, Makerere College School[4]
• 1989 – undergoes referee training and joins Uganda Referees Association
• 1995 – attains FIFA badge thus becoming first woman FIFA referee in Uganda
• 1991–1997 – sports officer, Kampala City Council[4]
• 2005 – lecturer, physical science, Kyambogo University[8]
• 2006–present – FIFA/CAF Instructor
• 2015 – FUFA Referees Standing Committee vice chairperson[9]

Notable achievements and appearances

• 1995 – first Ugandan woman FIFA referee
• 2000 – referee, 2000 African Women's Championship, South Africa
• 2002 – referee, 2002 African Women's Championship, Nigeria
• 2003 – centre referee, CAF second round, women Olympic football qualifier between Angola and Zimbabwe[10]
• 2004 – referee, 2004 African Women's Championship, South Africa

Controversy

In 2011, it was alleged that while still a lecturer at Kyambogo University, Adipo had travelled to China on a Uganda Olympics Committee ticket to represent the organisation yet she was not a member of the said organisation.[11]

Personal life

Adipo is married and has 2 children[6][12]

References

1. Isabirye, David (2018-09-11). "Uganda set to host high profile CAF Referees Course". Kawowo Sports. Retrieved 2019-03-19.
2. Ltd, Observer Media. "Top 10 List: Most influential women in history of Ugandan sport". The Observer – Uganda. Retrieved 2019-03-19.
3. Isabirye, David (2014-12-31). "FIFA Referees cautioned against Sports Betting". Kawowo Sports. Retrieved 2019-04-01.
4. "Adipo the football queen". www.newvision.co.ug. Retrieved 2019-03-19.
5. "The Observer Media Ltd. :: The Weekly Observer :: Uganda's Top Resource site". archive.observer.ug. Retrieved 2019-03-19.
6. NTVUganda (2015-05-04), Women and Power: Catherine Adipo, pioneering female football referee, retrieved 2019-04-05
7. Ltd, Observer Media. "Top 10 List: Most influential women in history of Ugandan sport". The Observer – Uganda. Retrieved 2019-04-05.
8. "Women who have made a mark". www.newvision.co.ug. Archived from the original on 2017-09-11. Retrieved 2019-04-05.
9. "Adipo named Vice Chairman Referees Commitee [sic]". www.newvision.co.ug. Retrieved 2019-03-19.
10. "IN BRIEF". www.newvision.co.ug. Retrieved 2019-03-19.
11. Oryada, Andrew Jackson. "UOC President Banned". Uganda Radio Network. Retrieved 2019-03-19.
12. "Adipo the football queen". www.newvision.co.ug. Retrieved 2019-04-05.