5 Eritrean female footballers disappear in Uganda

By Godfrey Olukya

KAMPALA, Uganda (AA) - Five Eritrean female football players have disappeared in Uganda, authorities said Tuesday.

They are part of the under 20 team that is participating in the 2021 Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) tournament in the eastern city of Jinja.

Jinja police, along with Uganda’s football federation, Eritrea's under 20 women's football team and the Eritrean community are investigating circumstances surrounding the disappearances.

The athletes disappeared from their camp at the Sunset Hotel International in Jinja City on Tuesday morning.

The players who disappeared range in age from 16 - 19.

“We are investigating how the five girls disappeared from their camp at Sunset Hotel International. They have been sleeping in different rooms at the hotel but they disappeared at a go which means they planned to do so,” said police spokesman James Mubi.

The tournament began Oct. 30 and will conclude Nov. 9.