Ugandan authorities have confirmed that weightlifter Julius Ssekitoleko has be found days after he went missing.
On July 16, Ssekitoleko had escaped from the Olympics pre-games camp hotel in izumisano City in Japan.
Local Japanese had reported that Ssekitoleko had left behind a note, swearing he would not return to Uganda.
The athlete had also been said to have said he would look for a job, instead of returning to Kampala where he claimed there were economic hardships.
He had reportedly ordered that his belongings be sent back to Kampala.
Now, the Embassy of the Republic of Uganda in Tokyo confirmed July 20 that the Uganda Olympics sportsman “has been found in Mie Prefecture.”
“The Embassy is working closely with competent Japanese authorities on Tokyo to enable Mr Ssekitoleko continue with the hitherto arranged safe and secure return to Uganda as soon as tomorrow 21st July, 2021,” the Embassy said in a statement.
It added that “any issues to do with the alleged absconding from duty he had been flown to perform in Japan and related disappearance from the training camp, will be handled appropriately upon his return to Uganda.”
Police in Japan Police said Ssekitoleko had cooperated.
The weightlifter had strayed some 170km away from his host town.
Ssekitoleko is expected to face prosecution on return to Uganda. But sources at the foreign affairs ministry also say there are calls to counsel the athlete and ‘rehabilitate’ him.
