The Ugandan aviation industry has lost two pilots in separate plane crashes that happened in Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
“Our hearts are bleeding for Capt. Buruhan Rubaga and Capt. Ninsiima Jackson Khiira who died in separate plane crashes in TZ and DRC,” Faruk Kirunda, Deputy Press Secretary to President Museveni, announced on Monday.
He added: “It’s a blow to our aviation industry. We dedicate them in the Creator’s hands.”
The sad news was first announced by Kitatta Ibrahim Almalik, the Spokesperson of the Office of the National Chairman NRM and LCV Chairperson for Lwengo District.
“A DARK DAY IN THE SKIES FOR UGANDA. We have lost 2 experienced pilots; Captain Ninsiima Jackson Khiira and Capt Buruhan Rubaga in plane crashes that happened in Congo and Lake Victoria respectively. Our prayers are with their families and friends. May their souls rest in Peace,” Kitatta said.
When reached for a comment on the matter, Kitatta told SoftPower News he was still in a meeting.
Uganda Airlines had not yet received the report by the time of publication while Uganda Civil Aviation Authority and UPDF spokespersons had not yet responded to our inquiries.
Captain Ninsiima died in DRC
Mukago Dan Rutetebya who identifies himself as the LC5 Chairman of Kiruhura district, said Capt. Ninsiima hailed from Kikaatsi sub-county in the same district.
“It’s a sad day, a day of darkness and a day of pain as we lose a brilliant soul as a district and as greater Kikaatsi S/C. Capt. Jackson Ninsiima has been called to serve the Lord in heaven. I deeply condole with the family of Chairman Stephen Khiira. RIP honest Pilot,” Rutetebya tweeted.
According to reports, Capt Ninsiima died aboard a turboprop owned by Goma Express.
According to Aviation Safety Network, the incident happened on Thursday 3 November 2022 at around 2:32 pm.
A Goma Express Let L-410UVP-E20 was reported missing while operating on a cargo flight from Kasese to Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The wreckage was discovered in a forest in the middle of Kahuzi-Biega National Park on November 5 and rescue workers reached the crash site on November 6.
There were no survivors. Conflicting reports suggest either two or three crew members were on board the flight.
AFP reported that the aircraft took off on Thursday with three people on board including two crew members — a Ukrainian pilot and a Ugandan co-pilot — plus one passenger and goods.
Due to bad weather, the pilot tried “without success” to land at Kavumu airport in Bukavu, a source told AFP.
Capt Rubaga died in a Precision Air plane crash
According to reports, Capt Rubaga died aboard flight PW 494 attached to Precision Air which crashed into Lake Victoria in Tanzania on Sunday. We were unable to verify this with the airline.
According to the country’s Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa, the death toll is now at 19 victims while 24 other passengers have since been rescued.
The plane, which departed from the commercial capital, Dar es Salaam, crashed while attempting to land during stormy weather.
It plunged into the water in northwestern Bukoba, a lakeside city in the Kagera region.
Regional commissioner Albert Chalamila said 43 people – including 39 passengers, two pilots and two cabin crew – were on board the plane.
Precision Air, Tanzania’s largest privately-owned airline, said it had dispatched an investigation team consisting of Precision Air technical staff and TAA (Tanzania Airports Authority).