Three officers from the Uganda Defense Forces face Court-Martialed for Helicopter crush in Somalia

KAMPALA (QJ) – Three officers from the Uganda Defense Forces have been accused of negligence related to a military helicopter crash in Somalia in September 2024.

The helicopter, which was carrying African Union forces under ATMIS, crashed shortly after departing from Mogadishu, heading to Balidoogle airfield, located 90km northwest of Somalia’s capital. Four ATMIS peacekeepers onboard sustained injuries.

Col. George Buga Andruga (51), Maj. Benjamin Kashumbusha (43), and Lt. Henry Gygenda (38) appeared before the General Court-Martial in Makindye, Kampala, on January 15, 2025.

The officers are accused of negligently deploying the aircraft, AU0-004. If found guilty, they face the death penalty.

The accused officers denied any wrongdoing during the hearing presided over by Brig. Gen. Robert Freeman Mugabe.

Ugandan military spokesperson Gen. Felix Kulayigye issued a statement saying investigations are ongoing to determine whether the crash resulted from technical failure, human error, or enemy sabotage.