A Russian-made UPDF Mi-28 attack helicopter crashed in Nyamisingiri Village, Kichwamba sub-county, Ntoroko district, western Uganda on Tuesday. The incident resulted in at least three casualties, adding to the recent air fleet mishaps.
This unfortunate crash follows closely on the heels of a UPDF reconnaissance plane's misfortune in the jungles of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) just last week.
Air Force spokesperson Maj Naboth Mugisha expressed regret over the incident, announcing, "UPDF Air Force regret to report a Helicopter crash in the general areas of Karugutu-Ntoroko." Mugisha assured the public that details would be disclosed later, emphasizing that the crash was purely accidental.
Army spokesperson Brig Felix Kulayigye confirmed that two occupants of the helicopter lost their lives, attributing the tragedy to adverse weather conditions in the mountainous region where the aircraft was navigating.
A civilian also perished as the helicopter's blades sliced through the roof of a house during the crash. This incident puts additional pressure on the army leadership to address the mounting concerns regarding the frequency of aircraft accidents.
The ill-fated Mi-28 Havoc combat helicopter, developed by Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant, boasts a unit cost of approximately $18 million (Shs 60bn). Meanwhile, the UPDF Diamond aircraft, valued at Shs 5bn, played a crucial role in reconnaissance missions against Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) militants in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The crash raises questions about the sustainability and safety of the UPDF's air fleet, particularly considering the significant investments involved in acquiring and maintaining these advanced aircraft.
