A Ugandan military helicopter carrying eight personnel crashed at Aden Adde International Airport in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, on Tuesday, triggering a fire and plumes of smoke that briefly disrupted operations at the facility.
According to Ahmed Maalim, the head of the Somali Civil Aviation Authority, the helicopter had just arrived from the Balidogle airbase in the Lower Shabelle region when it went down in the military section of the airport. The aircraft reportedly burst into flames upon impact, prompting an immediate response from airport emergency services who managed to contain the fire quickly.
“We heard the blast and saw smoke and flames over a helicopter. The smoke entirely covered the helicopter,” said Farah Abdulle, a staff member at the airport, in an interview with Reuters.
While the cause of the crash remains unclear, Maalim confirmed that a full investigation is underway to determine what went wrong. It is also not yet known if there were any casualties among the eight people who were on board the helicopter.
Ugandan troops are in Somalia as part of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), supporting the Somali government in its long-standing battle against the al-Qaeda-affiliated al-Shabab militant group. The Ugandan military has long operated from strategic bases like Balidogle and frequently conducts logistical and support flights within Somalia.
The crash raises concerns over the safety and maintenance of aircraft used by AU forces in Somalia’s often volatile and challenging operational environment. Previous incidents involving military aircraft in the region have highlighted the difficulties of flying in a conflict zone, where both mechanical failures and security threats remain significant risks.
As of now, authorities in both Somalia and Uganda have not released the identities of those on board or confirmed any fatalities or injuries. Officials say further updates will follow pending the outcome of the ongoing investigation.
The incident underscores the risks faced by peacekeeping personnel deployed in Somalia, where violence and insecurity continue to challenge stability and reconstruction efforts.
