The incident occurred just before the helicopter was due to land, with eyewitnesses reporting a sudden blast and large plumes of smoke. Felix Kulayigye, spokesperson for the Ugandan military, confirmed that five passengers were killed, while the three survivors sustained serious burns and injuries.

Munitions Detonation Intensifies Damage

The helicopter’s payload of munitions exploded during the crash, destroying nearby structures and causing collateral damage. Somalia’s state-run SONNA outlet reported that the aircraft was engulfed in flames upon crashing.

AU Mission Faces Persistent Threats

The helicopter was deployed as part of AUSSOM, which maintains over 11,000 personnel in Somalia. The mission supports Somali forces in their ongoing battle against al-Shabaab, the al-Qaeda-linked group that has fought for nearly 20 years to overthrow Somalia’s internationally recognised government and impose strict Sharia rule.