UPDF | CHOPPER | ACCIDENT

FORT PORTAL - The Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs on Saturday confirmed one of its helicopters had been involved in an accident in Fort Portal.

The aircraft crashed into a mud-and-wattle house belonging to 75-year-old Peruth Kabarwani, a resident of Nyakaziba village. 

Brig. Felix Kulayigye, the army spokesperson confirmed the incident saying, “This morning our MI 24 helicopter developed a mechanical fault while in flight and the pilot made an emergency landing.” 

“Fortunately no casualties both to the occupants of the plane and on the ground,” he added. 

Kabarwani, the owner of the house who was in the house at the time of the incident survived with no injuries and the UPDF said they will compensate and re-build her house. 

Details of the officers who were on board the plane remained scanty by press time as the army had reportedly cordoned off the area, even though there were reports that some people had been rushed to the hospital.

In February last year, UPDF jet ranger helicopter crashed near the old airport in Entebbe, killing two cadets pilots, who included Capt. Caroline Busingye who was on a mutual training flight.

The helicopter came down immediately after takeoff near Lido beach.