The manager for the Ugandan Commonwealth Games team has stated he has no knowledge regarding the disappearance of four boxers from the squad. Media reports in Uganda suggested that the four athletes might be seeking asylum. However, Godwin Kayangwe, Uganda‘s chef de mission, expressed his hope that the boxers would return home before their visas expire in October.
Police have confirmed that inquiries are ongoing into several Commonwealth Games athletes who did not board their scheduled homeward flights. It is understood that further action may not be taken until the athletes’ current visas lapse.
Boxers Fail to Return Home
The four boxers, identified as Ibrahim Kemis, Nuhu Batte, Emily Nakalema, and Angel Katushabe, were expected to fly back to Uganda on Tuesday. Kayangwe indicated that he has no idea why they vanished but suspects they might still be in Glasgow or elsewhere in Europe.
Kayangwe mentioned that he does not know the reasons behind their decision not to return home. He noted that the boxers had communicated with their team manager, stating they would be coming back, but their phones subsequently went off. This action constitutes a breach of camp rules, as no athlete is permitted to leave without official permission.
Despite their disappearance, their visas remain valid until October. Kayangwe hopes they will return to their home country. When asked about the possibility of the athletes seeking asylum, the team manager reiterated that he had no idea why they would do so, stating it was not related to political issues or gender.
A sports media outlet, NBS Sports, reported that it had spoken to one of the missing boxers. This boxer claimed that the athletes intended to seek asylum to pursue their boxing careers in a country they believed offered superior training facilities and opportunities compared to their homeland. The boxer reportedly appealed to Ugandans for understanding and requested not to be judged for their decision.
The matter has now been referred to the Ugandan High Commission, which will coordinate with authorities in Scotland. Kayangwe conveyed a direct message to the missing athletes, urging them to observe the law and ensure their visas do not expire while they are still abroad. He encouraged them to return to Uganda, suggesting they could then return to Europe whenever they wished. He expressed his hope that the boxers would make the “right decision” and come back to Uganda.
Another Boxer Missing in Glasgow
In a separate incident, Pakistani boxer Qudratullah has also reportedly gone missing in Glasgow. This occurred just hours before the Pakistani Commonwealth Games contingent was scheduled to depart for home. According to a report by a Pakistani outlet, Geo News, sources within the Pakistan Boxing Federation stated that Qudratullah was last seen in his hotel room around 2 am.
Officials later checked his room and found that he was no longer there. The Pakistan team was due to assemble in the hotel lobby at 9 am for their departure. However, Qudratullah could not be located when officials searched his room. His passport and return ticket are reportedly still with the team manager.
This is not the first instance of a Pakistani boxer going missing during an international tour. Another boxer, Zohaib, reportedly disappeared during a trip to Italy last year. The Pakistani contingent, comprising 21 members, concluded the 2026 Commonwealth Games with only one medal.
Fatima Zahra secured a bronze medal in the women’s 60kg category, marking Pakistan‘s sole podium finish at the Games. This result represented Pakistan‘s lowest medal tally since the 1998 Commonwealth Games, where the country won one silver medal. Pakistan had also returned without a medal from the 1990 edition, making Glasgow its poorest Commonwealth Games campaign in 36 years.
Fatima made history by becoming the first Pakistani female boxer to win a Commonwealth Games medal and was subsequently chosen to carry the national flag at the closing ceremony. Pakistan‘s primary medal hope, Olympic javelin champion Arshad Nadeem, also did not achieve a podium finish after serving as the country’s flagbearer at the opening ceremony.
Source: bbc.com
