Four Ugandan Boxers Seek Asylum After Commonwealth Games

By the Editorial Team · Wednesday, August 5, 2026

Four Ugandan boxers disappeared from their Commonwealth Games delegation in Glasgow and are believed to be seeking asylum to pursue better training opportunities abroad. Their disappearance highlights ongoing challenges with athlete defections and raises questions about security and immigration controls at major international sports events.

Four Ugandan boxers disappeared from the delegation after competing in the Commonwealth Games held in Glasgow, Scotland, which concluded on Sunday. The athletes—Angel Katushabe, Nuhu Batte, Ibrahim Khemis, and Emily Nakalema—did not return with their teammates as scheduled, according to reports from Ugandan media.

A source familiar with the situation, speaking anonymously, said the four intend to seek asylum. They reportedly cited the desire to continue their boxing careers in a country with access to better training facilities and greater opportunities as the primary motivation for their decision.

The incident echoes previous occurrences during the Commonwealth Games, which have seen athletes and officials go missing after the competition period. Notably, 39 individuals were unaccounted for following the 2014 Games in Glasgow, including Ugandan rugby player Philip Pariyo. Pariyo was later granted asylum in the United Kingdom but was convicted and imprisoned in 2025 for a sexual offence committed in Cardiff in 2021.

Authorities in both Uganda and the host country have yet to comment officially on the current case. The four boxers’ disappearance raises ongoing concerns about security and immigration management during large international sporting events.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.