Uganda Peoples’ Defense Air Force (UPDAF) Bell 206B JetRanger III helicopter crashed during a night training exercise under unknown circumstances. Both pilots died in the crash.
According to the Uganda People’s Defence Force spokesperson Brig Richard Karemire, the Jet Ranger AF 302 was on a training mission.
“It had two crew members. Sadly, no one is reported to have survived. Investigations into the cause have commenced. We offer our condolences to the family members and entire UPDF fraternity,” he said in a tweet this afternoon.
According to residents, a loud bang followed the crash and the helicopter reportedly crashed straight into a hill.
The dead reportedly included a male and female officer. Victims have however not been identified.
Unconfirmed reports indicate that the crashed Jet Ranger AF 302 killed two officers including female pilot Maj. Naome Karungi.
It is such a very tragic time for Uganda as a nation and UPDF in particular losing a senior female Air Force pilot Maj Naome Karungi in a chopper crash. Condolences to her family and friends. May her soul and the soul of Cadet pilot Benon Wokula. pic.twitter.com/ZlGRI0nwOx
— UGAMAN (@Ugaman01) January 29, 2020
The Uganda Air Force is a statutory institute and a service arm of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces, established by the Defence forces Act, 2005, Section 3 Sub section 2(b).
Its core tasks include; defending Uganda’s Airspace and supporting own land forces wherever they are, destroying strategic enemy positions and providing VIP transport. Others are; peace support missions and relief in the event of natural disasters and all the other duties of UPDF as per Article 208 of the constitution of the Republic of Uganda.
