Army helicopter accidentally bombs Nakasongola church

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The Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) in Nakasongola have apologised to a Born-Again congregation in the district over an incident in which its fighter helicopter, being used for routine training, mistakenly fired a shell that hit their church.

The fighter helicopter from the Nakasongola-based airborne training school was reportedly being used in routine training when it reportedly dropped the shell that caused damage to Kirenge Glad Tidings Church in the neighbourhood.

According to Pastor Ismael Semyalo, the church building developed multiple cracks, and the latrine collapsed because of the incident.

Nakasongola army spokesperson Cpl. Muhamad Mukisa last week regretted the incident. Mukisa expressed concern, saying that the army are ready to rectify the 'small damage '.

"That is a small fixture which we can undertake locally. We have a construction brigade and all what is needed to repair what was damaged," he said.

Nakasongola airborne training school Intelligence Officer (IO) Lt Joseph Mugabi said he was planning to visit the site to assess the situation.

Pastor Semyalo and his aggrieved followers, who accuse the army of negligence, had wanted to sue the Government, saying the incident caused them a financial loss and the inconvenience of operating without a latrine.

Through their lawyers, Stoneridge Advocates, the church followers had written to the Attorney General and the Air Chief Marshal, demanding shillings 200 million in general damages, interest and costs.

"The intended plaintiffs have been put to loss and inconvenience for which they will seek general damages, interest and costs. The value of the subject matter is in the region of 200 million," reads the letter of intention to sue.

The believers in their letter contend that the army carried out their training unprofessionally and, without diligence, well knowing that the neighbourhood of the barracks was occupied.

Semyalo said immediately after the incident, he vocally complained at Nakasongola army barracks, and officials showed concern and promised to investigate the matter but took no action.

Pastor Semyalo further said he thereafter wrote several letters to the army leadership in Nakasongola and the Resident District Commissioner's office, district leaders, but got no redress, forcing him to consider legal action.