A Ugandan military helicopter crashed on Tuesday, killing both crew members and destroying a house in a village in western Uganda. The helicopter was a Mi-28 Havoc, a Russian-made attack helicopter that was recently acquired by the Uganda People’s Defense Force (UPDF).
The helicopter was flying to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as part of a peacekeeping mission when it went down in Nyamisingiri Village, Kichwamba sub-county, Ntoroko district. The cause of the crash is still under investigation, but army officials said it could be due to bad weather in the mountainous area.
The UPDF Air Force spokesperson, Maj Naboth Mugisha, expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased and the affected villagers. He said the UPDF regrets the loss of the helicopter and the lives of the crew. He also assured the public that more details will be released as the investigation progresses.
The army spokesperson, Brig Felix Kulayigye, also confirmed the death of the crew and said the helicopter was one of the three Mi-28s that the UPDF acquired in 2022. The Mi-28 Havoc is a combat helicopter designed by Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant and has an estimated unit cost of $18 million (Shs 60bn). The helicopter is equipped with advanced weapons and sensors and can operate in day and night conditions.
The crash is the latest in a series of accidents that have plagued the Ugandan military aviation in recent years. In April 2023, two Ugandan helicopters crashed in eastern DRC, killing at least 22 people. One of the helicopters was a Mi-17, a transport helicopter also made by Russia.
To address the issue of maintenance and repair of its helicopters, Uganda partnered with a Russian company, Pro-heli International, to establish a helicopter maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) plant at the Nakasongola Air Force Base. The plant, which was commissioned by President Yoweri Museveni in 2023, aims to service the entire African helicopter MRO market, including helicopters used by UN missions.
The crash also comes at a time when Uganda is increasing its defense spending to compete with its regional rival, Kenya, amid a new arms race in the region. Between 2012 and 2021, Uganda’s military expenditure rose by 203 percent, reaching $1.066 billion (Shs 123.1bn) in 2021, an 8.3 percent increase from 2020. Uganda has been acquiring new weapons and equipment, including fighter jets, tanks, artillery, and helicopters, to boost its military capabilities and influence.
Nevertheless, the Ugandan Air Force last March, praised the performance of the Russian-made Mi-28N Havoc attack helicopter on the battlefield against the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) during the graduation ceremony of its pilots and engineers. The Mi-28N Havoc has proven to be an invaluable asset to the Ugandan Air Force, helping to ensure the safety of Ugandan citizens and the security of the nation. The power and precision of the Mi-28N Havoc have enabled the Air Force to take on the LRA with a highly effective offensive capability.
The Ugandan Air Force has also graduated pilots and engineers trained to operate and maintain the Mi-28N Havoc. This skilled personnel have demonstrated expertise in the aircraft’s systems, allowing them to make the most of its capabilities in combat. This has enhanced the Ugandan Air Force’s ability to protect its citizens and maintain the security of the nation.
