An investigation has been launched after several athletes who competed at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow were reported missing shortly before their scheduled flights home. Police Scotland has confirmed that multiple competitors are officially "unaccounted for" following the Games, which wrapped up on Sunday, August 2.
Ugandan boxers fail to return
The alarm was raised after reports surfaced in Uganda indicating that four members of the nation's boxing team had vanished. According to Ugandan sporting news outlet NBS Sport, the boxers failed to rejoin the rest of their national delegation ahead of the team's scheduled return flight to Kampala on Tuesday.
A spokesperson for Police Scotland confirmed they are actively investigating the disappearances. "Police Scotland has received reports of several athletes who are unaccounted for," the spokesperson said. "Inquiries are ongoing to assess the circumstances, and early engagement is taking place with the Home Office."
Security protocols in focus
The 2026 Glasgow Games brought roughly 3,000 athletes from 74 nations to the Scottish city. Managing the safe arrival and departure of competitors is a major logistical and security undertaking.
Speaking to the Press Association, Commonwealth Games chief executive Phil Batty emphasised the strict protocols in place to monitor the movement of visiting competitors. "We've welcomed nearly 3,000 athletes to the city from 74 nations," Batty said. "We want to deliver a safe and secure games, so we work really closely with Police Scotland, the Border Force, and UK visas and immigration to make sure everyone arrives and departs in line with regulation."
Missing athletes identified
It remains unclear whether the athletes intend to claim asylum and the Home Office is closely monitoring the situation. The department maintains a strict policy of taking necessary steps to prevent abuses of the immigration system and will take appropriate action if made aware of any visa breaches.
The Ugandan Ministry of Education and Sports has not yet issued a public statement regarding the missing boxers, who have been identified as two women - Angel Katushabe and Emily Nakalema - and two men - Nuhu Batte and Ibrahim Khemis.
Previous incidents
It isn't the first time Ugandan athletes have disappeared during an international competition. Several competitors failed to return following the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia, whilst two Ugandan rugby sevens players also went missing after the 2014 Games, which were also held in Glasgow. The pair later claimed asylum and moved to Cardiff.
As inquiries continue, local police and immigration officials are working to locate the missing athletes and determine the exact circumstances of their sudden disappearance.
