A UPDF helicopter involved in routine operations has crash-landed in Karamoja sub-region, as confirmed by the Ugandan army.
According to a statement released on Sunday morning by UPDF spokesperson Brig Felix Kulayigye, the MI 24 gunship with registration number AF 822 experienced the incident at approximately 4 pm on Saturday. The crash occurred at Nadiket village, located 5.3km West of Moroto barracks, in Loptuk sub-county, Moroto district.
Fortunately, the pilot and all three aircrew members on board are reported to be safe. The crash scene has been secured, and further management will be carried out. A technical team of UPDF Airforce experts will investigate the cause of the crash landing.
Brig Kulayigye urged the public to stay away from the crash scene while investigations are underway.
This incident marks another helicopter-related occurrence involving UPDF since 2020. In September of last year, a UPDF Mi-17 helicopter, primarily used for transportation, medical evacuation, and VIP travel, tumbled and exploded during take-off after delivering food supplies to troops engaged in Operation Shujaa in Eastern DRC. Tragically, several soldiers lost their lives, while others sustained various injuries.
Previous incidents include an emergency landing in Fort Portal shortly after take-off from Saaka airfield, where the chopper was successfully repaired by UPDF engineers and returned to service. Additionally, two accidents occurred in February 2021, one near Lido Beach in Entebbe, claiming the life of a trainee, and another in Somalia while transporting AMISOM troops, where four soldiers on board survived.
Unfortunately, despite investigations into these accidents, the reports have not been made public.
