Ugandan Military Court Charges Three UPDF Officers Over Aircraft Loss in Somalia

Saturday March 28, 2026

Mogadishu (AX) – Three senior officers of Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) will face a Ugandan military court after prosecutors alleged misconduct connected to the disappearance of a military aircraft during operations in Somalia, according to officials.

The General Court Martial at Makindye, Kampala, on Tuesday formally charged Col. George Buga Andruca, Maj. Benjamin Kashumbusha, and Lt. Henry Gygenda with one count of wrongful acts tied to the loss of an aircraft. Each of the officers entered a plea of not guilty.

Court records show the trio previously served with the UPDF Aviation III Unit under the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) at Baledogle Military Airfield. Andruca commanded the unit, Kashumbusha acted as operations officer, and Gygenda served as the squadron engineer.

Presiding over the case were judges chaired by Col. Frederick Kangwamu, with Col. Nasser Drago Igambi and Maj. Abubaker Nyombi also on the panel. They ordered the accused remanded to the Makindye Military Police Quarter Guard until April 4, 2026, when the matter returns to court for a mention.

Prosecutors Capt. Alex Mukhana and Second Lt. Anthony Phillip Olupot told the court that investigations were still ongoing, prompting their request for an adjournment, which the court granted.

Ugandan military aircraft operating in Somalia are relied on to move troops, evacuate casualties, and deliver supplies to areas affected by roadside bombs and insurgent activity.

Uganda has also remained among the leading troop contributors to African Union peacekeeping efforts in Somalia, backing operations aimed at countering the al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab militant group and helping stabilize the country.