GOMBA — An investigation is underway to determine what caused a Uganda People’s Defense Air Forces military helicopter to crash in Gomba on Tuesday, spokesperson for army confirmed.
Unconfirmed reports indicate that the crashed Jet Ranger AF 302 killed two officers including female pilot Maj. Naome Karungi.
Ranger choppers are small aircrafts used in search and rescue missions.
Major Karungi has been flying the type of aircraft for 14 years since 2005.
Karemire could not add any further details but said the Jet Ranger AF 302 was on a training mission.
Karemire expressed condolences to the families of the deceased.
“We offer our condolences to the family members and entire UPDF fraternity,” he added.
Air Forces is said to be a critical arm in the maintenance of Uganda’s security.
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.
