Five Ugandan soldiers tragically lost their lives on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, when a Mi-24 military helicopter crashed near Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu, Somalia, while serving under the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).
Ugandan Military Helicopter Crash Details and Casualties
The helicopter, originally part of the Ugandan Air Force, was on a routine combat escort mission when it crashed just 200 meters east of the airport’s North Ramp.
Onboard were eight personnel; five were killed, while the pilot, co-pilot, and flight engineer survived with severe burns and injuries.
The crash triggered onboard munitions, causing explosions that injured three civilians and damaged nearby structures.
Ugandan Military Helicopter Incident: Eyewitness Accounts and Emergency Response
“We heard the blast and saw smoke and flames over a helicopter,” said Farah Abdulle, an airport employee who witnessed the incident of African Union helicopter.
“The smoke entirely covered the helicopter,” he told Reuters.
Emergency teams, including UN and AUSSOM personnel, responded swiftly to contain the fire and evacuate the injured.
Airport Operations and Investigation
The incident of the Ugandan military helicopter caused minor delays at Mogadishu’s airport, but flights resumed shortly after.
Ahmed Moalim Hassan, head of Somalia’s Civil Aviation Authority, confirmed that a formal investigation is underway to determine the cause.
African Union Support and Stabilization Mission Context
AUSSOM currently deploys over 11,000 peacekeeping personnel in Somalia.
The mission supports the Somali National Army in its ongoing fight against al Shabaab, an al Qaeda-linked militant group that has waged a violent insurgency for nearly two decades.
The group seeks to overthrow Somalia’s internationally recognized government and impose a strict interpretation of Islamic law.
This tragic event underscores the risks faced by peacekeeping forces and the ongoing challenges in stabilizing Somalia.
