Naomi Karungi

Major Naomi Karungi (1 December 1978 – 28 January 2020) was a Ugandan helicopter pilot who, at the time of her death, served as the Squadron Commander of Augusta Bell Squadron in the UPDF Air Force.[1][2][3]

Major

Naomi Karungi
Born(1978-12-01)December 1, 1978
Ntungamo District, Uganda
DiedJanuary 28, 2020(2020-01-28) (aged 41)
Bulo, Uganda
NationalityUgandan
CitizenshipUganda
EducationMakerere University
(Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Social Work)
East African Civil Aviation Academy
(Commercial Pilot Licence)
Years active2003–2020
Known forProfessional competence
Home townNtungamo

Background and education

She was born in Ntungamo District, in the Western Region of Uganda. She attended local primary and secondary schools. She studied at Makerere University, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Work and Economics. She was then admitted to the East African Civil Aviation Academy, graduating with a Commercial Pilot Licence, after three years of instruction.[4] Karungi was scheduled to travel to the United States later in 2020, to train as a helicopter flight instructor.[5][6]

Career

Around 2002, Naomi joined the UPDF Air Force before she obtained her pilot licence. Upon qualification as a pilot, she was posted to Entebbe Air Force Base. She selected to fly helicopters, as opposed to fixed wing aircraft, according to her video testimony in 2019. She was encouraged to specialize in helicopters by the UPDF Air Force commanders at the time.[3][5][7]

She flew transport helicopters in the UPDF Air Force, her entire career of 15 years (2005–2020).In 2015, she piloted President Yoweri Museveni from his country home in Rwakitura to Entebbe.[4][8]

She was the most experienced female helicopter pilot in the UPDF Air Force at the time of her death. At the rank of Major she was the Commander of the Bell Helicopter Squadron in the UPDF Air Force.[9]

Death

On the morning of 28 January 2020, a UPDF Air Force Bell Jetranger helicopter registration number AF-302, en-route from Kalama Armoured Warfare Training School to Entebbe Air Force Base carrying Major Karungi and Lieutenant Benon Wakalo, a cadet pilot, crashed into Ndese Hill, near Bulo, in Butambala District, during a tropical thunderstorm. Both flight crew died at the scene. They were on their way from Kabamba on a joint training exercise for air defense forces. The exercise had been cancelled due to bad weather.[5][8][10]

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See also

References
  1. The Edge (31 January 2020). "Muhoozi Eulogises, Major Karungi Flown Home For Burial". Kampala: The Edge Uganda. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  2. The Independent (28 January 2020). "Two dead after UPDF helicopter crashes in Gomba". The Independent (Uganda). Kampala. Retrieved 29 January 2020.
  3. Daily Monitor (28 January 2020). "Two dead as army jet ranger crashes". Daily Monitor. Kampala. Retrieved 29 January 2020.
  4. Moses Kayigwa (28 January 2020). "Fallen UPDF Pilot: Who Was Maj. Naomi Karungi?". Kampala: The Tower Post. Retrieved 29 January 2020.
  5. Risdel Kasasira, Sadat Mbogo and Kelvin Atuhaire (29 January 2020). "More details about two UPDF officers killed in chopper crash". Daily Monitor. Kampala. Retrieved 29 January 2020.
  6. Risdel Kasasira and Arthur Arnold Wadero (30 January 2020). "Chopper crash ends Karungi's life, her passion for military". Daily Monitor. Kampala. Retrieved 30 January 2020.
  7. Nation Television Uganda (NTV Uganda) (7 March 2019). "Female UPDF Pilot Shares Her 14-Year Journey" (Video). Kampala: Youtube.com. Retrieved 29 January 2020.
  8. Javira Ssebwami (28 January 2020). "Military investigating Jet Ranger crash as reports indicate female pilot Maj. Karungi is killed". Kampala: PML Daily Uganda. Retrieved 29 January 2020.
  9. Kampala Post (31 January 2020). "UPDF Mourns Crashed Jet Pilots Maj Karungi, Cadet Wakalu". Kampala Post. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  10. Arafat Nzito (28 January 2020). "Update: Female Pilot Major Naome Karungi Dies In UPDF Chopper Crash". Kampala: ChimpReports Uganda. Retrieved 29 January 2020.
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