Summary:

• A Russian-made UPDF Mi-28 attack helicopter crashed in western Uganda, killing at least three people, raising concerns about the frequent crashes of expensive military aircraft and prompting questions about their management and the safety of operations.

---

A Russian-made UPDF Mi-28 attack helicopter crashed in Ntoroko district, western Uganda on Tuesday, turning into smoldering rubble and claiming the lives of at least three individuals, according to a report by Chimp Corps.

The incident unfolded in Nyamisingiri Village, Kichwamba sub-county, less than a week after a UPDF reconnaissance plane, deployed to track down ADF militants in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) jungles, crashed in Kasese district.

Air Force spokesperson Maj Naboth Mugisha confirmed the helicopter crash, stating, “UPDF Air Force regret to report a Helicopter crash in the general areas of Karugutu-Ntoroko” on Tuesday, January 2, 2024. Mugisha assured that details of the crash would be provided later, emphasizing that it was deemed purely accidental.

ALSO READ: Is Uganda’s Reliance on Russian Helicopters a Fatal Mistake?

Brig Felix Kulayigye, the Army spokesperson, reported that two occupants died on the spot, attributing the accident to adverse weather conditions in the mountainous region where the helicopter was flying. Tragically, a civilian lost their life when the helicopter’s blades sliced through the roof of a house during the descent.

This recent incident adds to concerns about the frequent crashes of expensive UPDF aircraft. The Mi-28 Havoc combat helicopter, with a unit cost of around $18 million, and the UPDF Diamond aircraft, costing about Shs 5bn, are vital assets in the military’s operations against ADF militants in the DRC.

The crashes have raised questions about the management of these critical air assets, with anonymous sources expressing concerns about poor leadership and inexperienced officers being tasked with deployments. The mismanagement of these incidents has led to fears of wastage of taxpayers’ money and undermined efforts to build a robust air force to address regional security threats.

Despite increased cases of aircraft crashes in recent years, the UPDF has not provided explanations to the taxpayers, fueling concerns about potential mismanagement by the military’s top brass. Past incidents, including crashes in the DRC, Karamoja sub-region, Fort Portal, Mityana, Lido beach in Entebbe, Balidogle in Somalia, and Butambala district, have contributed to these worries.

In March 2023, the UPDAF graduated 12 pilots and 52 engineers who completed an eight-month training course in flying Mi-28 attack helicopters. Lt Gen Charles Okidi, the commander of the UPDAF, urged the trainees to prioritize the safety of the newly acquired strategic assets.