Yesterday, two officers belonging to the national force, the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) died in army jet crash in Gomba. The development was confirmed by the army Spokesperson, Brig. Richard Karemire.
Airforce officer Major Naomi Karungi and her co-pilot Cadet Officer Bernard Wakalu are the reported victims of the crash, according to information this website has received from sources within the UPDF.
“We regret to inform you that a UPDF Jet AF 302 Ranger on a training mission has crashed. It had two crew members. Sadly, no one has survived.” Brig Karemire said in a statement yesterday.
The UPDF spokesperson took time to inform the nation that investigations into the cause of the crash have already started and sent condolences to the families of the deceased and the entire UPDF fraternity.
The two personnel aboard the air craft had been on a training mission from Entebbe airport and crashed in Butambala, Gomba. The UPDF refused to give details of the aircraft mission citing need to first draft the report of the crash.
“It is an unfortunate event, accidents occur. We shall need need to investigate the cause of the accident so that it doesn’t happen again.” Brig Karemire told the press.
Major Karungi, one of the officers dead in the crash has been flying the helicopter for over 14 years now.
In an earlier interview in 2019, Major Karungi highlighted informed the press that she had joined the Airforce right after university and trained to become a pilot from Soroti Flying School.
“We were at the university and got the opportunity to join the military and from there we went to the flying school. The rest is history,” Major Karungi told NTV Uganda in an interview in 2019 during the International Women’s day celebrations.
She said that after joining the military, she was sent to Soroti Flying School, where she spent three years and was taught the basics of controlling and flying an aircraft.
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