KAMPALA, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Uganda has confirmed that another athlete, Vienna Ssekanga, also vanished during the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games which ended in Australia on April 15.
"The cyclist Ssekanga was among the six athletes who disappeared and did not return with the team," Beatrice Ayikoru, the team's chief de mission, revealed to Xinhua on Friday.
Two Ugandan weightlifters (Irene Kasubo and Kalidi Batuusa) were the first to vanish during the Games before two boxers (Regan Ssimbwa, Nasir Bashir) and one table tennis female player (Halima Nambozo) also disappeared two days before the Games ended.
But for the first time, Ayikoru, also the second Vice President (Technical) for the Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC) disclosed that Ssekanga was also among the athletes that vanished.
"We have six athletes who disappeared. The two weightlifters vanished with their passports, but the other four left their passports behind," added Ayikoru.
She made it clear that they handled the four passports to the Gold Coast border police who have now taken over the matter.
"I am hoping that these six athletes could have a change of heart and return before their visas expire on May 15th," added the official.
Sam Muwonge, the President of Uganda Cycling Association confirmed that Ssekanga has not returned from Australia.
"It is only Charles Kagimu who returned. Ssekanga disappeared before the team returned," added Muwonge.
Uganda finished in 15th place after sending a team of 69 athletes and competed in 11 disciplines. Joshua Kiprui Cheptegei won two gold medals in the 5,000m and 10,000m, while Stella Chesang bagged the women's 10,000m gold.
Mercyline Chelangat bagged a bronze in the 10,000m race, while Solomon Munyo Mutai was silver medal winner in marathon. Boxer Juma Miiro picked a bronze medal in the 46-49kg weight category.
