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The Uganda Peoples Defence Forces on Thursday, April 18, 2024, evening commiserated with their counterparts, the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), following the death of Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Francis Omondi Ogolla.

Ogolla perished alongside nine other senior officers in a chopper crash in West Pokot, Kenya.
👉 Chopper crash: tributes pour in for Kenya CDF Gen. Ogolla 

Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Francis Ogolla is seen here during a wreath-laying ceremony at the tomb of the unknwon Warrior at Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi on October 31, 2023. (AFP)

Uganda army spokesperson Brig. Gen. Felix Kulayigye, in a statement said: “The UPDF has learnt with profound shock the demise of Gen. Ogolla alongside eight others in a helicopter crash on Thursday afternoon. On behalf of CDF Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba and the entire UPDF fraternity, we wish to register our heartfelt condolences to the KDF, the bereaved families and the entire Kenyan nation upon the demise of these gallant officers”.

The statement indicates that, “in the demise of Gen. Ogolla, Kenya and indeed the entire East African Community have lost an accomplished General. Our hearts are with the bereaved families. May the souls of the departed Rest in Peace.”

Kenya’s President William Ruto on Thursday directed that the country would go into a three-day mourning starting on Friday, April 19, following the crash.

Ruto also directed that flags would be flown half-mast in Kenya and missions abroad.

Among those who died alongside Gen. Ogolla, was Brig. Swaleh Saidi, Col. Duncan Keitany, Lt. Col. David Sawe, Major George Benson Magondu (who was also the pilot), Capt. Sorah Mohamed, Capt. Hillary Litali, Senior Sergeant John Kinywa Mureithi, Sgt. Cliffonce Omondi and Sgt. Rose Nyawira.

President Ruto also ordered a team of investigative officers to probe the crash.