Four boxers representing UgandaTeam·Uganda at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in GlasgowVenue·Glasgow have reportedly disappeared, failing to board their scheduled flight home on Tuesday. The incident has led to an investigation by Scottish police and raised questions about athlete welfare and international sporting protocols.
UgandaTeam·Uganda's chef de mission, Godwin Kayangwe, expressed profound confusion regarding the athletes' whereabouts. "I have no idea why they disappeared," Kayangwe stated, as reported by BBC Scotland News. He indicated that the missing boxers had communicated with their team manager, suggesting they would return, but their phones subsequently became unreachable. Kayangwe confirmed that the athletes had "definitely broken the camp rules because no athlete is supposed to leave without permission."
The missing individuals have been identified as Ibrahim Kemis (20), Nuhu BattePlayer·Nuhu Batte (22), Emily Nakalema (32), and Angel Katushabe (21). Their disappearance means four of UgandaTeam·Uganda's six-member boxing team are now unaccounted for. While Kayangwe speculated they might still be in GlasgowVenue·Glasgow or elsewhere in Europe, he dismissed political or gender-related motives for asylum, stating, "I have totally no idea, absolutely no idea what type of asylum they would be seeking."
However, a contrasting report from local outlet NBS Sports suggests a different motivation. According to NBS Sports, one of the missing boxers claimed the athletes intend to seek asylum to pursue their boxing careers in a country they believe offers superior training facilities and opportunities compared to UgandaTeam·Uganda. The boxer reportedly appealed for understanding from their compatriots, asking not to be judged for their decision.
During the 2026 Commonwealth Games, the performances of the missing boxers varied. Emily Nakalema and Angel Katushabe were both eliminated at the quarterfinal stage, with Nakalema losing to Australia's Eve Bryson and Katushabe defeated by England's Ruby WhitePlayer·Ruby White. Ibrahim Kemis exited the competition in the round of 32 after a loss to Zambia's Albert NgulubePlayer·Albert Ngulube. Nuhu BattePlayer·Nuhu Batte achieved the most notable results among the group, securing victories against Nigeria's Abdul WahabPlayer·Abdul Wahab and India's Aditya Pratap Yadav before his quarterfinal defeat to England's Patris Mughalzai. Ultimately, UgandaTeam·Uganda's boxing team concluded the Games without securing a medal.
This incident is not unprecedented for Ugandan delegations at major international sporting events. Similar disappearances occurred at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in 2018, where at least five Ugandan boxers vanished. Furthermore, two Ugandan rugby sevens players went missing after the GlasgowVenue·Glasgow 2014 Games, later claiming asylum. Police Scotland has confirmed receiving reports of several athletes being unaccounted for and has initiated inquiries, engaging with the Home Office as part of their ongoing investigation. The visas for the missing athletes are reportedly valid until October, offering a potential window for their return.
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