Four Ugandan Boxers Vanish After Commonwealth Games, Seeking Asylum Before October Visas Expire
Updated
Updated · bbc.co.uk · Aug 5
Four Ugandan Boxers Vanish After Commonwealth Games, Seeking Asylum Before October Visas Expire
3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Aug 5
Summary
Four Ugandan boxers — two men and two women — missed Tuesday flights home from the Commonwealth Games, switched off their phones and have not been located.
Ugandan sports media said one of the missing athletes claimed the group planned to seek asylum and continue boxing abroad for better training facilities and career opportunities.
Godwin Kayangwe, Uganda's chef de mission, said the athletes broke team rules by leaving camp without permission but added their visas remain valid until October.
Police said inquiries are under way into several Commonwealth athletes who failed to take homeward flights, though officials are understood to have limited options before visas expire.
Pakistan media separately reported boxer Qudrat Ullah also failed to return with his team, suggesting the disappearances may extend beyond Uganda's squad.