Four Ugandan boxers ‘reported missing in Scotland’ after Commonwealth Games
Four Ugandan boxers ‘reported missing in Scotland’ after Commonwealth Games
Ben RumsbyTue, August 4, 2026 at 4:08 PM UTC
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Nuhu Batte fought for Uganda in the men’s 65kg competition - Lintao Zhang/Getty Images
Police are investigating claims four Ugandan boxers have gone missing in Scotland after competing in the Commonwealth Games.
Inquiries were ongoing on Tuesday into the reported disappearance of two male and two female athletes amid allegations they were planning to seek asylum in the UK.
NBS Sport, a Ugandan sports website, said the quartet – Nuhu Batte, the team captain, Ibrahim Khemis, Angel Katushabe and Emily Nakalema – did not join their team-mates for their scheduled return home.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Police Scotland has received reports of several athletes who are unaccounted for. Enquiries are ongoing to assess the circumstances, and early engagement is taking place with the Home Office.”
Angel Katushabe fought in the women’s 51kg event - Lintao Zhang/Getty Images
The Home Office declined to comment, but a source said it would take action if made aware of any breaches of UK immigration law.
Sophie Ashcroft, a Glasgow 2026 spokeswoman, said: “Over the last two weeks, we have welcomed 3,000 athletes from 74 nations and territories of the Commonwealth to Glasgow. As athletes and support staff leave the city, we continue to work closely with wider partners – including Police Scotland, Border Force and UK Visas & Immigration – to ensure a safe and secure conclusion to the Games.”
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Telegraph Sport has been told athletes were expected to depart the Games in line with the Glasgow 2026 length-of-stay policy, with the provision of accommodation ending two nights after a sport had concluded.
NBS Sport reported one of the missing boxers, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the four athletes intended to seek asylum and continue their careers in a country with better training facilities and opportunities.
The publication stated: “The boxer appealed to Ugandans for understanding and asked not to be judged for the decision.”
Major sporting events such as the Olympic Games and Commonwealth Games have been plagued by athletes refusing to return home afterwards.
At London 2012, seven competitors from Cameroon disappeared, while two Ugandan rugby sevens players, Benon Kizza and Philip Pariyo, also went missing after Glasgow 2014.
During Birmingham 2022, Sri Lankan athletes were forced to turn in their passports after some of their team-mates absconded.
Uganda’s Ministry of Education and Sports and Team Uganda have been approached for comment.
Source: “AOL Sports”
