Four members of Uganda’s national boxing team, the Uganda Bombers, have reportedly gone missing in Scotland following the conclusion of the 2026 Commonwealth Games, raising fresh concerns over the recurring disappearance of Ugandan athletes during major international competitions.
The missing boxers have been identified as Nuhu Batte, Emily Nakalema, Ibrahim Kemis and Angel Katushabe.
The Uganda boxing team travelled to the Games with only six athletes and was scheduled to return home on Tuesday after the tournament concluded. However, reports indicate that only two team members were available for the return journey, while the whereabouts of the other four remained unknown.
By press time, neither the Uganda Boxing Federation nor the Ministry of Education and Sports had issued an official statement regarding the reported disappearances or the circumstances surrounding them.
The incident has revived concerns over a pattern of Ugandan athletes disappearing while participating in international competitions, with some later seeking asylum or attempting to pursue better economic opportunities abroad.
One of the most notable cases involved Ugandan weightlifter Julius Ssekitoleko, who disappeared from the country’s pre-Games training camp in Japan ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. He was later traced by Japanese authorities and returned to Uganda.
Following his return, Ssekitoleko said he had left the team because he felt he had limited prospects back home, explaining that he was struggling financially and hoped to find better opportunities in Japan. After his return, the Ugandan government and well-wishers offered him support.
A similar incident occurred during the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia, when six Ugandan athletes disappeared after the competition. They included boxers Regan Ssimbwa and Bashir Nasir, table tennis player Halima Nambozo, cyclist Vienna Ssekanga, and weightlifters Irene Kasuubo and Kalidi Batuusa.
The latest reports are expected to reignite debate about the welfare of Ugandan athletes, including issues surrounding funding, remuneration, training conditions and post-career support.
Athlete welfare advocates have previously argued that financial hardships and limited opportunities after retirement contribute to the decisions of some competitors to attempt to remain abroad after international events.
Authorities are expected to provide further updates as efforts continue to establish the whereabouts of the four boxers.
