At least three persons have been confirmed dead after a Ugandan military helicopter gunship crashed into a residential house in the country’s western Ntoroko district.
Those who lost their lives include, two army crew members of the rank of lieutenant and a civilian whose house was crashed into by the Mi-28 gunship.
Uganda’s defence spokesperson, Felix Kulayigye in a statement in the capital, Kampala, on Tuesday said the victims died in the general areas of Karugutu, Ntoroko District, at about 2:00 p.m. local time.
“The crew died (as) heroes as they participated in the struggle to pacify our western frontier of the dreadful ADF terrorists,” said Kulayigye.
Investigations into the circumstances surrounding this accident have commenced as the collision has left the community in shock.
In addition to the immediate scene of the accident, the impact is also felt in the surrounding areas, prompting inquiries into the operational procedures and safety measures that might have played a role in the premature downing of the military aircraft.
The Ugandan army has been conducting airstrikes against the Islamic State-linked Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) militants, who have carried out several attacks in Ntoroko.
