Police Scotland has launched an investigation after several athletes were reported missing following the conclusion of the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Officers are working alongside the UK Home Office and immigration authorities to determine the athletes’ whereabouts and establish the circumstances surrounding their disappearance.
According to reports, the missing athletes include four members of Uganda’s boxing team—captain Nuhu Batte, Angel Katushabe, Ibrahim Khemis, and Emily Nakalema—as well as Pakistani boxer Qudratullah, who also failed to board his team’s return flight after the Games.
Police Scotland said there is no indication of criminal activity at this stage. Investigators are focusing on locating the athletes and working with immigration officials to determine whether they have remained in the United Kingdom legally or intend to seek asylum.
Media reports in Uganda suggest that at least one of the missing boxers said anonymously that the group hoped to remain in the UK to pursue professional boxing careers with access to better training facilities and opportunities. British authorities have not confirmed these claims or whether any asylum applications have been submitted.
Commonwealth Games Chief Executive Phil Batty said organisers had worked closely with Police Scotland, Border Force and UK Visas and Immigration throughout the event to ensure all athletes entered and departed the country in accordance with immigration regulations. Similar incidents involving athletes remaining in host countries after major sporting events have occurred at previous Commonwealth Games.
Sources: Reuters, Associated Press, Police Scotland.
