Mogadishu (AX) — an ominous September of 2024, where a helicopter’s brief and eventful airborne jaunt in Somalia lands three senior Ugandan military officers in hot water. Much to the chagrin of those involved, what was supposed to be a routine sortie ended in a crash and a legal tailspin. The aircraft, nestled under the watchful gaze of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), met with adversity almost immediately after takeoff from Mogadishu. Miraculously, all four peacekeepers aboard, though shaken, survived the ordeal unharmed but for a few scratches.
Fresh off the dock at Uganda’s General Court Martial (GCM) in January 2025, three officers found themselves facing the courtroom spotlight: Col. George Buga Andruga, a seasoned 51-year-old, the dynamic 43-year-old Maj. Benjamin Kashumbusha, and the relatively fresh-faced 38-year-old Lt. Henry Gygenda. They stand accused of negligence, a serious matter under Section 150(b) of the UPDF Act, Cap 330—a code designed to keep the intricacies of aviation from spiraling into chaos. The prosecution paints them as not-quite-eagle-eyed, alleging a lackadaisical deployment of aircraft AU0-004 that led to its high-profile tumble while winging its way to the Balidogle Military Airfield, a fortress-like bastion located 90 kilometers southwest of Mogadishu.
To say the stakes are high is an understatement, with the specter of the death penalty looming ominously should guilt be served cold. Yet, as they faced a stern Brig. Gen. Robert Freeman Mugabe, the trio vehemently denied all allegations—a courtroom drama worthy of a matinee.
Meanwhile, the whirlybird’s ill-fated journey, dated September 19, didn’t escape leaving a trail of injured yet living souls, among whom were three stout-hearted soldiers from Uganda ardently dedicated to the ATMIS cause. The helicopter was en route from Mogadishu, heading to Balidogle—a veritable nerve center for the Somali commando elite Danab and their U.S. allies.
Understandably, post-crash Uganda wasted no time launching an investigation, a process as rigorous as a heatwave in July. The million-dollar question: was it the fault of faulty machinery, operator error, or some grouchy marksmanship from below? Brig. Gen. Felix Kulayigye, taking the spokesperson bull by the horns, assured the public of due diligence: “Whenever there’s an air accident, there must be an investigation,” he declared, perhaps with an imperceptible nod to Sherlock Holmes.
Despite the hullabaloo, both ATMIS and the Somali National Army (SNA) chose a sphinx-like silence, leaving speculation rife and tongues wagging about possible communication break-ups within the mission. Was the radio silence a reflection of clandestine operations or benign oversight?
In court, the inquiry took on the air of a suspense novel, lead prosecutor Capt. Ambroz Guma, flanked by Second Lieutenants Anthony Phillip Oluput and Regina Nanzala, demanding more time to untangle the web of mystery. “The inquiries into this case are ongoing,” Oluput gestured in an almost Shakespearean fashion, the courtroom’s attention undivided. “We request a pause for reflection and the accused be returned to the comfort of the Makindye Military Police Quarter Guard,” he continued, no doubt adding a rhetorical full stop with an authoritative nod.
Not to be outdone, defense attorneys Elizabeth Nyadsingwa and Capt. Simon Nsubuga Busagwa prepared to counter with a bail plea next on the docket; it’s the kind of legal tennis match that enthralls spectators. Nsubuga Busagwa confidently states, “We’re locked and loaded for our next move. Bail, your honor, is but a formality.” Undoubtedly, preparation and timing were his aces up the sleeve.
In the larger theatre, Uganda plays a crucial role within ATMIS, serving up troops like a strategic ace to subdue Al-Shabaab militants. Indeed, the Balidogle Airfield beckons as a linchpin in the grand military chess game, where it serves a potent brew of training and logistical support against the militant menace.
And thus, the story unfolds—like an intricate tapestry stitched with layers of intrigue, duty, and repercussions, all set against the harsh backdrop of Somali sand and sky. Will justice rise like a phoenix from the ashes of scrutiny, and who, pray tell, will navigate the labyrinth with deft precision? The answers, dear reader, are as suspense-laden as the next chapter in this unfolding narrative.
Reported by Axadle.
