The Director of Public Information in the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs Maj Gen Felix Kulayigye who is also the UPDF spokesman has confirmed that a Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces Mi-24 helicopter, aircraft number AUO-015, has crashed approximately 200 metres East of the North Ramp at Mogadishu International Airport.
According to a statement dated July 2nd 2025, and signed by Maj Gen Kulayigye, the helicopter was conducting a routine combat escort mission when the incident occurred with eight personnel on board who included six crew members.
It is reported that the impact triggered a detonation of onboard munitions, causing significant damage to nearby structures and injuring three civilians.
The pilot, co-pilot, and flight engineer survived the crash but sustained serious injuries and severe burns and they were evacuated, along with the three injured civilians, to the AUSSOM Sector 1 Level II Hospital for treatment, while the 5 personnel on board died in this helicopter crash.
Maj Gen Kulayigye said that a joint emergency response team, comprising firefighters from Mogadishu International Airport and the United Nations, along with AUSSOM Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) personnel, is managing the scene and supporting rescue operations and official investigation is underway to determine the cause of the crash.
Here below is a full statement signed by Maj Gen Felix Kulayigye.
