Uganda still awaits UN compensation for crashed military choppers

October 08, 2013 (KAMPALA) – Uganda says it is still waiting for the United Nations to compensate for three Russian made Mi 21 attack helicopters that crashed along the slopes of Mt Kenya en route to war torn Somalia in September 2012.

The choppers, the pride of Uganda’s fledging air force, crashed in Kenyan airspace as they headed to beef up African Union (AU) soldiers for an attack on Al-Shabaab in the Somali port city of Kismayu.

Seven crew members died in the accident.

Uganda’s Minister of State for International Affairs, Henry Okello Oryem says the UN is considering Uganda’s request for compensation.

‘‘The matter is still being considered by the UN. We are waiting for conclusion from them,’’ Okello Oryem told Sudan Tribune on Thursday.

The minister said the UN has to compensate Uganda because the country is in Somalia on behalf of the international community.

‘‘The UN has no way out but to compensate us because what Uganda is doing is on behalf of the international community,’’ the minister said.

The three Ugandan choppers had taken off from the eastern Ugandan town of Soroti via Kenya en route to Somalia when they crashed on the slopes of Mt Kenya.

Speaking at conference on Somalia in the United Kingdom last year, Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni also asked the UN to pay Uganda for the lost choppers saying air superiority is needed in Somalia to defeat the Al-Shabaab.

Uganda is among African countries that have contributed troops to Somalia under the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).

(ST)