The chopper carrying Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni
made an emergency landing at Lugazi town, eastern Uganda Saturday after
it hit a bird in the airspace.
Mr Museveni then took another chopper to attend
the burial of former Presidential Advisor Chango Macho in Busia district
near Kenya's border.
“When we were flying over Mukono, a bird hit the
propeller of the helicopter and because of that, we were forced to land
safely in Lugazi town,” Mr Museveni said.
The mechanics are still examining the extent of the damage on the chopper.
“It was a UPDF chopper and the landing was
precautionary. Another UPDF chopper was called from Entebbe to take him
to the burial,” Special Forces Spokesperson Capt Chris Magezi said.
“We could not take any risk, and the mechanics are
assessing the extent of the damage. You cannot take chances when
dealing with the plane. For any such situation the best option is to
stop the flight,” he added.
This is the first time that President Museveni is
involved in a chopper mishap. However, the Ugandan Presidential
helicopter carrying former South Sudan leader, the late John Garang
crashed and killed all occupants in July 2005.
SOURCE: AFRICA REVIEW
SOURCE: AFRICA REVIEW
