Police in Scotland have confirmed that several members of the Ugandan boxing team failed to return home after competing at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, sparking an investigation into their whereabouts.
Police Scotland said in a statement that it had received reports of several athletes who were unaccounted for and that it was conducting inquiries while engaging with the Home Office.
About 3,000 athletes from 74 nations competed in the Games, Scotland’s largest city, with the closing ceremony held on Sunday.
According to Uganda Boxing Federation president Moses Muhangi, only two of the six-member boxing team had returned to Uganda by Tuesday evening. He named those still missing as team captain Nuhu Batte, one other male boxer, and two female team members.
Among those who did return was Aziz Abdul, a grandson of former Ugandan dictator Idi Amin, who had been disqualified from his quarterfinal for a headbutt.
Muhangi cautioned against drawing early conclusions, noting the athletes’ UK visas remained valid and that team members were free to visit friends and family, with several expected to return later in the week and others over the weekend. “It is too early to call it disappearance. Let us wait until their visas expire,” he said.
Games chief executive Phil Batty said organisers work closely with Police Scotland, the Border Force and UK visas and immigration to ensure all athletes arrive and depart in line with regulations.
A Pakistani boxer was also reported to have failed to return home on schedule, according to regional media.
Four Ugandan boxers unaccounted for after Commonwealth Games in GlasgowFour Ugandan boxers unaccounted for after Commonwealth Games in Glasgow