UGANDA/SOMALIA: U.S.-CONTRACTED AMISOM SUPPORT

UNCLAS KAMPALA 000254

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL MOPS UG SO
SUBJECT: UGANDA/SOMALIA: U.S.-CONTRACTED AMISOM SUPPORT
FLIGHT CRASH KILLS ELEVEN


1. Summary: A U.S.-contracted Ilyushin-76 (IL-76) transport
plane bound for the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM)
crashed into Lake Victoria just after take-off at
approximately 0515 March 9. The plane was carrying cargo and
passengers en route Mogadishu. All eleven passengers were
killed, including the deputy AMISOM contingent commander,
Brigadier General Saloum Nkikumana. The Defense Attache and
emboffs went to the scene to provide assistance. Post
expects a formal request for U.S. investigation and recovery
assistance from the Ugandan Government. We will watch
closely for the potential impact this latest tragedy has on
Uganda's continued commitment to the AMISOM operation. End
Summary.

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EXPLOSION OVER LACK VICTORIA
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2. The U.S.-contacted IL-76 aircraft took off from Entebbe
International Airport at 0512. At 0513, a small flash in the
air was reported by Anthony Allen, the air manager at the
airbase and two fishermen on the lake at the time. DynCorp,
the U.S. contractor, provides logistics assistance for the
AMISOM operation from its base at Entebbe. A large explosion
lit up the sky and scattered debris, according to the eye
witnesses. The aircraft went down five nautical miles
south/southeast from Entebbe. Rescue boats arrived between
0530 and 0535 and picked up the two fishermen, who had been
thrown from their boat due to falling debris. Ugandan
authorities questioned them. They report that the aircraft
never gained any lift. Boats, helicopters, and light
aircraft are being used to view the crash site. Most of the
aircraft and debris sunk in about 24-26 meters of water and
another 10 meters of silt. Some floating debris was
recovered. Press reports that bodies have been recovered are
false.


3. Ugandan authorities report that none of the eleven
passengers survived. There were four Russians (aircrew),two
Ugandans (one air crew member and a Ugandan major),one South
African de-miner working for AMISOM, one Indian national
(DynCorp) accountant),and three Burundians. Brigadier
General Saloum Ndikumana, Burundi's Deputy Contingent
Commander, Colonel Nayubu from AMISOM's operations staff, and
Captain Pamphile Nkurunziza from the Burundian National
Defense Forces were among the dead.

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POST ACTIONS
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4. DATT and two emboffs were on site providing assistance to
DynCorp and Ugandan authorities, who set up an Operations
Center at the airport. Post contacted Dennis Jones, a
National Transportation Safety Board officer, who is in
Nairobi for a Safe Skies for Africa Conference. Jones has
been working with Ugandan Civil Aviation Authorities and
emboffs to ensure proper notifications have been made
according to International Civil Aviation Organizations
(ICAO) regulations.


5. Uganda's Minister for Transport and Works, John Nasasira,
visited the crash site at mid-day. He told Emboff that
Uganda may need U.S. investigation and recovery assistance.
We expect two formal requests for assistance from the Ugandan
Government. The Ugandan Peoples Defense Forces (UPDF) may
request mil-mil assistance in the form of divers and sonar.
Once we receive the UPDF's specific request, we will pass it
to AFRICOM. We will continue to monitor the situation and be
helpful to the Ugandan authorities and DynCorp.

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COMMENT
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6. The crash has dealt the AMISOM operation another blow.
We will be watching to see what impact, beyond the immediate
logistics problems, it will have on Ugandan and Burundian
resolve to stay the course.
BROWNING