Sources have revealed more information about the recent crash of a chopper carrying Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa. On Saturday, Tayebwa attended President Museveni’s commissioning of the Kole-Gulu-Nebbi-Arua 132 kV power line. This new line connects the West Nile sub-region to the national grid.
After the event, Tayebwa hurried to Bushenyi. He was there for Edith Ainomugisha and Albert Bagabe’s giveaway ceremony. Edith is the daughter of Dr. Eng. Silver Mugisha, the National Water and Sewerage Corporation’s Managing Director, and Annet Katusiime Mugisha, the Woman MP for Bushenyi.
The event ended late, and Tayebwa’s convoy rushed to Nyakisharara airfield. They planned to board a chopper back to Kampala. At the airfield, they were told it was too late to fly. The chopper couldn’t operate at night due to a lack of night vision.
“They were advised to sleep in Mbarara and take off the next morning,” a source told the Nile Post. Another source mentioned a change of plans. BAR CEO Barak Orland convinced Tayebwa’s team that he could fly them to Kampala at night. Despite concerns, the team boarded another chopper.
Soon after takeoff, fire erupted from the cockpit, causing panic among passengers. The pilot attempted an emergency landing. The chopper crash-landed, and Tayebwa’s security team quickly engaged in rescuing everyone aboard. Fortunately, all passengers, including Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, survived with minor injuries. The crash, however, left the chopper burned to ashes.
As we await an official statement from BAR Aviation, sources indicate a technical glitch caused the fire. The incident has raised questions about nighttime flight safety protocols.
