Idi Amin’s grandson disqualified from Commonwealth Games after headbutt

Idi Amin’s grandson disqualified after headbutt at Commonwealth Games

Scotland: Ugandan super-heavyweight boxer Aziz Abdul, the grandson of former Ugandan military ruler Idi Amin, has been thrown out of the 2026 Commonwealth Games boxing competition after a dramatic disqualification in his quarter-final clash with England's Damar Thomas.

Abdul's medal hopes came to an abrupt end in Glasgow when the referee stopped the contest early in the third round, ruling that the 25-year-old intentionally drove his head into Thomas during a clinch. The decision came after Abdul had already been cautioned for repeated infringements, handing victory to the English boxer and ending Uganda's bid for a guaranteed boxing medal. 

The ruling sparked an emotional reaction from Abdul, who rejected claims that the headbutt was deliberate.

“It was not intentional… I am not happy,” he said.

The Ugandan boxer instead claimed he had been struck with an elbow before the incident and accused officials of favouring the home athlete.

“I am black African. He is in homeland. He was the person they wanted to win.”

His allegations of bias have since been dismissed by Commonwealth Sport President Dr. Donald Rukare, himself a Ugandan, who said the Games are committed to fairness and noted that established procedures exist for raising complaints about officiating.

Thomas, meanwhile, progressed to the semi-finals and secured at least a bronze medal, although he admitted the contest ended in circumstances he would not have chosen.

“I can’t change what happened today but I can control how I box on Friday.”

The controversy follows Abdul's headline-grabbing remarks before the Games, when he declared his ambition to become the new "King of Scotland"—a reference to his grandfather's infamous self-proclaimed title. 

Ugandan boxer Aziz Abdul - the grandson of dictator Idi Amin - was disqualified from his fight at the Commonwealth Games after appearing to headbutt his English opponent

Idi Amin, who ruled Uganda between 1971 and 1979, was also an accomplished boxer before entering politics. His fascination with Scotland stemmed from his service in the King's African Rifles during his youth, leading him to wear kilts, play the bagpipes and famously proclaim himself "King of Scotland" in 1976. The episode later inspired the Oscar-winning film The Last King of Scotland, starring Forest Whitaker and James McAvoy.

In an earlier interview, Abdul said he drew inspiration from his grandfather, though he did not clarify whether he was referring solely to Amin's boxing career. Speaking to the BBC before the tournament, he also declined to answer when asked whether he was proud to be the grandson of the former dictator.