UPDF chopper has just crashed at Spenah Beach in Entebbe, one female occupant died
By Our correspondent
A chopper belonging to the Uganda People Defense Air Forces has crashed at Entebbe near Spenah Beach. Two of the other occupants sustained grave injuries, but were taken to hospital while still alive. Sadly, one lady known as Calor Busingye from Bushenyi District, died.
Capt. Calor Busingye as she preferred to write her name, has become the second female UPDF pilot to die in helicopter crash in a period of one year, after Major Naomi Karungi in Butambala District in January, 2020.
The Drone Media has established that the chopper was piloted by two cadet trainees on a mutual training flight. It crashed after take off at the Spenah Beach junction. The two were rushed to hospital to ascertain their health status. UPDF spokesperson, Brig Gen Flavia Byekwaso confirmed that the helicopter was being piloted by two cadet trainees on a mutual training flight.
“Today afternoon at about 2:15pm a jet ranger piloted by two cadet trainees on a mutual training flight came down immediately after takeoff near Lido beach. The two were rushed to hospital to ascertain their health. Our aviation team is on ground to investigate the mishap,” UPDF spokesperson, Brig Gen Byekwaso tweeted.
Last week, UPDF Amisom Aviation Unit helicopter crashed in Somalia. Today’s crash comes just days after the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) said Sunday that it had launched investigations into circumstances under which its helicopter crashed in southern Somalia injuring four Uganda Peoples Defense Forces (UPDF) soldiers last week.
The AU mission said the four soldiers were rescued when a helicopter on a mission to support its troops in Lower Shabelle region crashed soon after take-off in Balidogle on February 5, 2021.
AMISOM said the helicopter whose registration details were not disclosed belonged to the AU mission’s Aviation Unit from the Uganda People’s Defense Force.
“All four soldiers aboard the helicopter were rescued and are in a stable medical condition,” AMISOM said in a statement issued in Mogadishu.