Helicopters crash: One more body recovered

Hopes of finding the last four unaccounted for UPDF soldiers alive continued to diminish yesterday after a third body was reported to have been seen near the helicopter crash site on Mount Kenya.

The army in a press statement issued yesterday afternoon identified at least two of the dead as Capt. William Letti and his co-pilot Lt. Patrick Nahamya. Minister of State for Defence Gen. Jeje Odong had earlier revealed the names of the dead which included that of Lt. Robert Tushabe to a parliamentary committee.

Army spokesman Col. Felix Kulagigye first refused to comment on reports that the deaths could be more than three. He, however, later said they were waiting for the search team to decide whether to switch from ‘search and rescue’ to ‘search and find’ mode. In that case, it would mean there are no hopes of finding anyone alive.

“The Ministry Defence and the UPDF regret to inform the country of the tragic demise of our comrades Captain William Letti and Lt Patrick Nahamya who died in a helicopter accident in Mt. Kenya areas,” Col. Kulayigye said.

Capt. Letti was the pilot of helicopter no. AF 806, MI-24. “The search for the rest of the crew members of this chopper still continues,” Col. Kulayigye said.

The Kenyan Laikipia airbase commander, Brig. Francis Ogolla, said yesterday that the search team that reported locating of the body was forced to abandon the site due to bad weather.
“Those who were at the site were able to see a third body. Out of the seven people in that helicopter, three have now been accounted for. When the weather clears we will go back and look at the back of the cabin to see if the other four are there or not,” he said.

Military hardware
The search team reported seeing ammunition strewn all over the area among other pieces of military hardware.

The ministry of defence sent condolences to the families of the dead, saying they would keep the country updated on the tragic incident.

“We extend our deepest condolences to the bereaved families of the departed comrades. Our hearts are with those family members whose dear ones we are still searching for,” Col. Kulayigye said, “We shall continue to keep the country informed of the developments about these patriotic Ugandans.”

The pilot of the helicopter used by the search team, Mr Christopher Stewart, said the recovered bodies of the deceased had been collected by the Kenyan military and taken to Nairobi.

Crew members rescued

Name Designation
Lt. Col. Chris Kasaija Pilot
Maj. Charles Okidi Pilot
Capt. George Buga Pilot
Capt. Samuel Kitenyi Co-Pilot
Capt Asad Magombe Armament Tech.
Lt. Robert Bakashaba Co-Pilot
Lt. Job Osuret Co-Pilot
Lt. Everest Sebagenzi Flight Engineer
Lt. John Nyanzi Flight Engineer
Lt. Charles Alemu Flight Engineer
2nd Lt. Gideon Taremwa Electrician
2nd Lt. Asaph Barigye Technician
WOI Ongaria Patrick Armament Tech.
WOI Ayesigye Nixon Armament Tech.
WOII Nakabanda George Technician
WOII Wamagali Yahaya Electrician
WOII Kalulu Wilberforce Medical
S/Sgt Komunda John Electrician
S/Sgt Eritu Robert Armament Tech.
Sgt Coleb Mugwisa Medical
Pte Muse Mark Armament Tech.

[email protected]