Weightlifter Julius Ssekitoleko has safely been returned to Uganda on Friday, July 13.
Ssekitoleko who was one of Uganda’s Olympians to travel for the Japan Olympics, last month, went AWOL on the 16th of July, in Japan, was found on Tuesday and has now been returned.
His return was confirmed on by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs through a press statement.
“The general public is hereby informed that Mr. Julius Ssekitoleko, a Ugandan weightlifter who went missing on Friday 16th July 2021 from the Olympic village facilities in Izumisano City, Japan has returned to Uganda safely. Read a statement.
Ssekitoleko disappeared after he failed meet the set Olympic standards in the latest International rankings and consequently fled the Team Uganda camp during pre-Olympics training in western Japan last week.
In a joint operation between Japanese Authorities and the Ugandan Embassy in Japan, Mr. Ssekitoleko was tracked down in Mie Prefecture on 20th July 2021.
His actions are understood to have violated the Code of Conduct which each member of the Team pledged to abide by.
This was signed by the Uganda Olympic Council (UOC), Tokyo 2020 and National Council of Sports. Sections (13) and (15) under part 2 are particularly illustrative of what was expected. Not only had he committed to returning to Uganda but he had also pledged to honour the Country, his Team, and the Olympic Games
Ssekitoleko was seen off at the Airport by officials of the Ugandan Embassy and Japanese Immigration Authorities who ensured his safe and orderly passage out of Japan.
Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, he was received by officials from Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Education and Sports.
The Government of Uganda is committed to continuous rehabilitation of the Athlete to assist him settle to further develop his career but also help him understand, how such acts of misconduct can not only affect him as an athlete but also other athletes in the Sports sector and the Nation at large .
