Uganda Team Manager Has No Idea Why Boxers Vanished After Commonwealth Games
Ninoda.com – The Uganda team manager has no idea why four of his boxers have suddenly disappeared from Glasgow following the Commonwealth Games. Nuhu Batte is among the four athletes who have vanished without warning, leaving officials and teammates puzzled. Team manager Godwin Kayangwe told BBC Scotland News that two men and two women who competed for Uganda failed to appear for their scheduled return flights and have since turned off their mobile phones entirely.
Media reports in Uganda suggested the four athletes may be looking to seek asylum, but Kayangwe expressed hope that they would return home before their visas expire in October. Police say inquiries are ongoing into a number of Commonwealth athletes who have failed to turn up for homeward flights, though it is understood little can be done until the existing visas expire.
Details of the Missing Athletes
The four boxers – Ibrahim Kemis, 20, Nuhu Batte, 22, Emily Nakalema, 32 and Angel Katushabe, 21 – were due to fly back to Uganda on Tuesday. Kayangwe said he has no idea why they have disappeared but suspects they are “probably still in Glasgow or somewhere in Europe.” He explained that while the athletes communicated with their team manager and said they would be coming back, their phones went off after that.
“But after that their phones went off, so they have definitely broken the camp rules because no athlete is supposed to leave without permission. Their visas are still valid until October so hopefully, probably, they will come back to their country.”
When asked why the athletes might be looking to seek asylum, the Uganda team manager has no idea what type of asylum they would be seeking. “It’s nothing political, it’s nothing to do with gender or something [like that] – I have absolutely no idea why they would be doing that,” he stated clearly.
Sports media site NBS Sports said it had spoken to one of the four missing boxers, who claimed the athletes intended to seek asylum and continue their boxing careers in a country they believed offered better training facilities and opportunities than their homeland. The boxer was also said to have appealed to Ugandans for understanding and asked not to be judged for the decision.
Kayangwe said the matter was now with the Ugandan high commission who will liaise with the authorities in Scotland. He added that he had a simple message to the missing athletes: “My message is pretty clear, observe the law and make sure the visa does not expire while you are still here. Come back to Uganda and they can probably come back to Europe whenever they want.” He added he hoped the boxers would make the “right decision” and return to Uganda.
Pakistan Today also reported that the boxer Qudrat Ullah had not joined the rest of his team-mates in flying home to Pakistan, and that he was not found in his room when officials went to search for him.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why have the Ugandan boxers disappeared? The Uganda team manager has no idea for certain why the four boxers vanished, though reports suggest they may be seeking asylum to continue their boxing careers in a country with better training facilities.
When do the boxers’ visas expire? The four athletes’ visas are still valid until October, giving them time to return to Uganda or potentially seek asylum in another country.
What is the team manager’s message to the missing athletes? Kayangwe has told the boxers to observe the law, ensure their visa does not expire while they are abroad, and return to Uganda where they can come back to Europe whenever they want.
Are there other athletes who have gone missing? Yes, Pakistan Today reported that boxer Qudrat Ullah had not joined the rest of his team-mates in flying home to Pakistan and was not found in his room when officials searched for him.
