Sudan’s Garang crash victims paid $1.25m

March 9, 2007 (KAMPALA) — The Ugandan National Insurance Corporation (NIC) has paid another $1.25m claim to the relatives of the victims who perished in a chopper crash with the former Sudanese First Vice-President, Dr John Garang, the New Vision reported

NIC had earlier settled seven claims worth $1.75m to seven Ugandan families. Garang and 13 others died when the Ugandan Presidential helicopter, carrying them to southern Sudan crashed on July 30, 2005.

“We are aware that no amount of money can compensate for the lives of the loved ones who died.”

“We can only attempt to provide some financial compensation to ease the family burden,” Bola Ososanya, the NIC managing director, explained during the hand over of the dummy cheques to the families on Thursday in Kampala.

State House Comptroller, Richard Muhinda, who represented the state at the function, lauded NIC for the gesture.

He revealed that the company’s response to process claims was “extremely unusual.”

“They have worked with us throughout all the challenges thereafter,” he said adding that they are now working with the company to process compensation for Garang, who was the principle passenger on the aircraft.

“We are working out an affordable but reasonable package for the family of our late comrade Garang,” he said.

(New Vision)