UPDF Chopper Crashes In Karamoja
A UPDF helicopter that was on routine operations has crashed in Karamoja sub-region.
This has been confirmed by the UPDF spokesperson, Brig Felix Kulayigye saying the MI 24 gunship registration number AF 822 crash landed at around 4 pm on Saturday at Nadiket village, located 5.3km West of Moroto barracks, Loptuk sub-county in Moroto district.
“The pilot and all the three air crews who were on board are safe. The scene has been secured for further management. The cause of the crash landing will be established by a technical team of UPDF Airforce experts,” Brig Kulayigye said in a statement on Sunday morning.
Kulayigye further urged members of the public to stay away from the crash scene as investigations into the incident continue.
Similar incidents
The incident in Karamoja is yet another one involving UPDF choppers since 2020.
In September last year, a UPDF Mi-17 helicopter, which is mainly used for transportation, medical evacuation and VIP travel, that had just delivered food consignment to the troops engaged in Operation Shujaa in Eastern DRC tumbled and exploded during take-off.
Several soldiers died on spot whereas others sustained various injuries.
Earlier that month, another UPDF chopper suffered an emergency landing in Fort Portal, shortly after taking off from Saaka Airfield.
The chopper was however repaired by UPDF engineers and returned to the skies.
In February 2021, two accidents, six days apart happened.
A UPDF Jet Ranger crashed near Lido Beach in Entebbe after takeoff and killed a trainee whereas another chopper transporting AMISOM troops from Balidogle to Lower Shabelle region in Somalia crashed shortly after takeoff.
Four soldiers on board survived.
In January 2020 a UPDF jet ranger crashed and killed two people including Maj Naomi Kalungi and Cadet pilot Benon Wakola in Butambala.
Whereas investigations have been carried out on all these accidents, reports are not made public.
