Sharon Athoula speaks about it simply, but the weight of the moment is clear.
Standing in the middle alongside Gloria Obukor in a men’s 50-over league match was the result of years of patience and hard work.
“My umpiring journey has been built on passion, hard work, patience and taking every opportunity,” Athoula said.
At the Entebbe Cricket Ground, she and Obukor became the first female umpire pair to officiate in Uganda’s Men’s 50 Over League.
Athoula, sharing that moment with Obukor was “humbling, exciting, and a big achievement,” one that keeps her goal of inspiring more women alive.
Obukor felt it too.
“Umpiring the men’s game with Sharon was a privilege,” she said.
“It felt like progress not just for me, but for every female official coming through.”
Their presence marked a shift in a competition long dominated by men. It showed growing trust in female officials and a wider push for inclusion in Ugandan cricket.
For both umpires, the match was about opening doors. Athoula wants to keep pushing forward and help grow the game, while Obukor sees the moment as proof that barriers can be broken.
