FOUR members of Uganda’s boxing team have gone missing following the conclusion of the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, with reports suggesting the athletes have chosen to seek asylum rather than return to their homeland.
The missing boxers have been identified as Angel Katushabe, Nuhu Batte, Ibrahim Khemis, and Emily Nakalema, according to talkSPORT and Ugandan media outlet NBS Sports. The quartet reportedly failed to board the scheduled flight back to Uganda with the rest of the delegation after the Games concluded.
Speaking anonymously to NBS Sports, one of the athletes confirmed the group had deliberately remained behind to pursue asylum, citing a desire to advance their sporting careers in a country offering superior training facilities, enhanced support systems, and greater professional opportunities.
The boxer appealed to fellow Ugandans to understand their decision and refrain from passing judgement, insisting the move was motivated by aspirations for a better future.
Ugandan authorities have now launched efforts to locate the four athletes, while the country’s Ministry of Education and Sports is expected to release an official statement regarding the development.
A Recurring Pattern
This incident marks yet another chapter in a troubling pattern of Ugandan athletes choosing to remain abroad following major international competitions.
At the 2018 Commonwealth Games on Australia’s Gold Coast, at least six Ugandan competitors reportedly failed to return home.
Similarly, after the 2014 Games, Ugandan rugby sevens players Benon Kizza and Philip Pariyo disappeared before later applying for asylum.
The pair eventually settled in Cardiff, where they continued their rugby careers with a local club.
Sporting Performance
On the competition front, Katushabe, Batte, and Nakalema each reached the quarter-finals of their respective boxing categories before being eliminated from medal contention. Khemis exited during the preliminary rounds.
The remaining members of Uganda’s boxing team, Alfred Ojok and Aziz Abdul, also failed to progress beyond the quarter-final stage.
Abdul, who is the grandson of former Ugandan leader Idi Amin, was disqualified from his heavyweight quarter-final bout against England’s eventual gold medallist Damar Thomas after being penalised for a deliberate headbutt.
The disappearance of the four athletes has once again highlighted the recurring issue of competitors from certain nations choosing to remain abroad after international sporting events, often citing the pursuit of better opportunities or seeking international protection.
Ugandan authorities are expected to continue their investigations while awaiting further information on the athletes’ whereabouts and intentions.
