Lt. Gen. James Mugira has been selected to head the probe into the recent crash of UPDF helicopter Jet Ranger AF 302 which was on a training mission in Bulo, Gomba District on January 28, 2020.
The crash claimed lives of two UPDF officers; Maj. Naomi Karungi, the only female pilot in the military and cadet pilot Benin Wakalo.
Karungi and Wakalo were laid to rest last week. The army described the fallen soldiers as patriotic and hardworking.
The cause of the mishap hadn’t been established, and against that backdrop, the army Commander Gen. David Muhoozi has assigned Mugira- who heads National Enterprise Corporation (NEC) to lead the investigations.
NEC is the commercial arm of the army.
Other members of the Board of Inquiry include Brig G Katsigazi the Deputy Commander Air force and Brig C Okidi the Airforce Chief of Staff.
The 3-Star General previously headed the inquiry into the death of the Late Brig Noble Mayombo and the Inquiry into the 2007 Kapchorwa accident in which 72 UPDF soldiers and their family members were killed.
The UPDF spokesperson Brig. Richard Karemire confirmed Mugira’s appointment. “Gen. Mugira was chosen by CDF to lead the investigations”
Asked how long the inquiry will take, Karemire responded: “As long as it is necessary.”
Gen. Mugira wasn’t available for a comment by the time of filing this report.
Mugira, a law graduate from Makerere University is considered as one of the shrewd, amiable and hands-on military officer.
Mugira headed the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence before he was deployed in Luweero Industries.
Later he was appointed as Managing Director of NEC which he has since made vibrant and profit making institution.
The army relies on NEC for food and other logistics. NEC has since trained engineers, doctors, bankers and many specialists across all fields. The organization is into construction, oil exploration and others sectors. Mugira, despite such success, remains a humble UPDF officer.
