Ugandan Rugby player jailed for rape in Cardiff
Philip Parry, a 32-year-old Ugandan rugby player who sought asylum in the UK, has been sentenced to four and a half years in prison for raping a woman in Cardiff. The attack occurred in June 2021, after Pariyo had developed a close friendship with the victim. Despite denying the charges, he was found guilty in December 2024.
Pariyo, who represented Uganda in Rugby Sevens at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, disappeared after the tournament and later claimed asylum in Cardiff.
He cited fears of persecution in Uganda due to accusations of being homosexual, a crime in his home country.
In a letter to Judge Celia Hughes, Pariyo expressed remorse, stating he was « genuinely sorry to those who suffered from my actions. »
The victim, in a harrowing impact statement, described the lasting trauma of the assault. « No one should fight like their life depends on it for something as simple as consent, » she said, detailing the physical and emotional scars that have left her feeling « dirty, numb, and tainted. »
Pariyo had been working in waste management for Cardiff Council and had previously played for St Peter’s Rugby Club, though the club confirmed he had not been active with them for nearly a decade.
The case has drawn attention to Pariyo’s journey from international athlete to asylum seeker and convict. Judge Hughes emphasized the severity of the crime, highlighting the profound impact on the victim.
Pariyo’s sentencing marks a somber chapter in a life once defined by sporting achievement.
