Ugandan team manager has ‘no idea’ why boxers have disappeared
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, though Godwin Kayangwe, Uganda’s chef de mission, expressed hope that they would return home before their visas expire in October.
Police have indicated that inquiries are ongoing concerning several Commonwealth Games athletes who have not boarded their scheduled flights home. It is understood that limited action can 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 mentioned he has no information about their decision to not return, but suspects they are “probably still in Glasgow or somewhere in Europe.”
He noted that the boxers had communicated with their team manager, indicating they would be returning. However, their phones subsequently went off. This action constitutes a breach of camp regulations, as no athlete is permitted to leave without official permission. Their visas remain valid until October, leading Kayangwe to hope for their eventual return to their home country.
When questioned about the potential reasons for the athletes seeking asylum, the team manager reiterated his lack of understanding. He stated he had “absolutely no idea what type of asylum they would be seeking,” emphasizing that it was not related to political issues or gender. He expressed complete bewilderment regarding their motivations.
A sports media outlet, NBS Sports, reported having spoken to one of the missing boxers. This boxer reportedly claimed that the athletes intended to seek asylum to pursue their boxing careers in a country believed to offer superior training facilities and opportunities compared to their homeland. The boxer also reportedly appealed to Ugandans for understanding, requesting 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 absent athletes, urging them to “observe the law and make sure the visa does not expire while you are still here.” He encouraged them to return to Uganda, suggesting they could then potentially travel back to Europe at their discretion. He expressed his hope that the boxers would make the “right decision” and come back to Uganda.
Another Boxer Goes Missing
In a separate incident, Pakistan Today reported that boxer Qudrat Ullah also did not join his teammates for the flight home to Pakistan. Officials reportedly found his room empty when they went to search for him.
According to a report by 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 discovered he was no longer there. The Pakistan team was scheduled to gather in the hotel lobby at 9 am for their departure. His passport and return ticket are reportedly still with the team manager.
This is not the first instance of a Pakistani boxer going missing abroad; another boxer, Zohaib, reportedly disappeared during an international tour in Italy last year. The Pakistani contingent, comprising 21 members, concluded the 2026 Commonwealth Games with a single medal. Boxer Fatima Zahra secured a bronze medal in the women’s 60kg category, marking Pakistan’s only podium finish at the Games.
This result represented Pakistan’s lowest medal tally since the 1998 Commonwealth Games, where the country earned one silver medal. Pakistan had also returned without a medal from the 1990 edition, making Glasgow its least successful Commonwealth Games campaign in 36 years. Fatima Zahra made history as the first Pakistani female boxer to win a Commonwealth Games medal and was subsequently chosen to carry the national flag at the closing ceremony. The country’s primary medal hope, Olympic javelin champion Arshad Nadeem, did not achieve a podium finish after serving as the flagbearer at the opening ceremony.
Source: bbc.com
