Uganda’s Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Rt Hon Thomas Tayebwa survived death after a helicopter in which he was being carried was involved in a nasty crash on Saturday August 3rd 2024 evening.
Mr. Tayebwa has said through his social media platforms that, he is fine after a helicopter he was flying in was forced into an emergency landing in Bushenyi District after developing a mechanical fault.
Despite details surrounding the crash still being scanty, we understand that Tayebwa is okay and therefore no cause for alarm.
“Dear all, my colleagues and I are all okay. No one is hurt,” Tayebwa said in a post on X on Sunday August 4th morning.
This publication also understands that the deputy speaker who earlier on Saturday attended a state function in Nebbi, West Nile, had travelled to Bushenyi by chopper to grace the Kuhingira of Ms Edinah Ainomugisha and Mr Albert Bagabe in the southwestern Uganda district.
Edinah is the daughter of National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) MD, Dr Eng. Silver Mugisha, and Hon. Annet Katusiime Mugisha the Woman MP for Bushenyi.
However, on the same day, Tayebwa had an introduction ceremony of the daughter of Dr Silver Mugisha, the NWSC managing director, in Bushenyi District to attend.
Consequently, the helicopter proceeded to Bushenyi. Later, at around 6pm, Tayebwa and his team concluded the Bushenyi function and proceeded to Nyakisharara airstrip so as to fly to Kampala.
However, the pilot claimed that it was already late and his helicopter had no lights
The company brought in an emergency once from Entebbe being piloted by Barrack Orland, the CEO/Director of Bar Aviation.
But at around 9.30pm after taking off, it hovered around and crash landed in a green grass within the airport and immediately caught fire after the passengers had exited.
The plane with 7 passengers, including the Deputy Speaker, his body guard, 3women and 2men all came out safely without any injury.
Tayebwa on Sunday later confirmed that he was safe. However, this did not stop some of his friends from visiting him at his home to check on his health status.
Bar Aviation operates with a fleet of Eurocopter EC130, B505 Jet Ranger X, Bell 206 Jet Ranger and Bell 421EPi aircraft as well as a range of helicopters.
