Uganda Mourns the death of Maj Karungi And Cadet Wakalu

Today has been a difficult day for Uganda, and the Uganda People’s Defence Air Force (UPDAF) fraternity, as it was learned that Maj. Naomi Karungi, a pilot instructor and cadet Bernard Wakalu (trainee pilot) lost their lives in a helicopter crash in Bulo, Gomba.

According to Brig Richard Karemire, the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) spokesman, a UPDAF Jet Ranger on a training mission crashed and sadly no one survived.

We regret to inform that a UPDAF Jet Ranger on a training mission has https://t.co/tGvFpSpS24 had two crew members. Sadly, no one has survived.Investigation into the cause has started.Condolences to their families and the enire UPDF fraternity.

— Brig RichardKaremire (@UPDFspokespersn) January 28, 2020

As tributes continue pouring in from many Ugandans, and the UPDAF fraternity, we bring you some of the people who have so far sent out their respects.

Very SAD. But they stood for a noble cause of defending our country. May they Rest in Peace. https://t.co/afODkv7egV

— Ofwono Opondo P'Odel (@OfwonoOpondo) January 28, 2020

Senior Presidential Adviser for Special Operations, Lieutenant General Muhoozi Kainerugaba in a tweet, said he was very, very sorry to hear of UPDAF helicopter crash and the tragic loss of life.

Very, very sorry to hear of the crash of a UPDAF helicopter and the tragic loss of life of two crew members. May Almighty God rest their souls in eternal peace.

— Muhoozi Kainerugaba (@mkainerugaba) January 28, 2020

Television personality, Josephine Karungi sent out condolences to the bereaved families and to the UPDAF fraternity.

May the souls of the two who were on board the UPDAF Jet Ranger rest in peace. My condolences to their families and to the UPDF fraternity.

— Josephine Karungi (@jkkarungi) January 28, 2020

In a sombre tweet, Nada Anderson said, “the sky has lost something special today,”

Major Karungi, I must have waved at you a thousand times as you flew over our house in Garuga on your many training missions. I hope your soul finds peace, together with the soul of your trainee. Condolences to both families. The sky has lost something special today. RIP. ❤️??

— Nada Andersen (@NadaAndersen) January 28, 2020

Sudhir Byaruhanga, a senior news reporter at NTV Uganda was thankful to Naomi for her passion and inspiration to women and the girl child.

Rest in Peace Naomi Karungi. You were so full of passion and inspiration to the women and girls out there. I never knew this was the last time I would see u. I remember that flight above kampala. You shared a story of yo calling to serve the nation.https://t.co/VF8HZiCd26 pic.twitter.com/LooR56eb2L

— Sudhir Byaruhanga (@Sudhirntv) January 28, 2020

“We have lost one of the few female helicopter pilots in Uganda,” tweeted Ezra Kiwanuka Don

Skies are rough!Uganda aviation fraternity, @uppa_aviators,@UPDAF, @EACAA. We have lost one of the few female helicopter pilots in Uganda. Major Karungi and an engineer aboard a jet ranger. RIP our sister and brother.

— Ezra Kiwanuka Don (@DonKiwanuka) January 28, 2020

In a recent interview with one of the television stations, Maj.Karungi is quoted to have said that she was among the few females who qualified to fly choppers in the Ugandan army and had about 14 years experience that stretches back to 2005. May her soul and that of Benard rest in Eternal Peace.