MBALE, Uganda — A family in Buwere village, Manafwa District, has received 29.184 million Ugandan Shillings (approximately $7,800 USD) in compensation for damage caused to their home by a presidential helicopter in December 2024.
The payment brings a significant relief to Mr Godwin Aaron Tasike, a 45-year-old grade machine operator and farmer, whose house was affected during a presidential tour.
Mr Tasike expressed immense gratitude for the gesture extended by the Special Forces Command (SFC).
“I am very happy that my call has been answered. I didn’t know how my house would be repaired. God is great,” Mr Tasike said.
The compensation aims to cover the refurbishment of the house, which was damaged when the presidential helicopter landed and took off from the Butiru Demonstration Primary School playgrounds in December 2024.
The incident occurred during President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s zonal performance assessment tour focused on the Parish Development Model (PDM) in the area. A portion of the funds will also provide temporary accommodation for Tasike and his family during the renovation period.
While handing over the funds, Major Newton Isaac Namazima, representing the Chief of Staff-SFC, Brigadier General Paul Namawa, emphasized the significance of the payment.
He stated that it was a strong testament to the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) and the SFC’s commitment to fostering a robust bond between the armed forces and civilians.
Major Namazima commended Tasike for his patience, which allowed the SFC to thoroughly assess the damage and estimate the appropriate compensation.
“This is yet another moment when we experience the commitment of UPDF to its roles as a people’s force on the aspect of fostering harmony and peace between the security forces and the civilian authorities as well as members of the district security committee who endeavored to inform us about the unfortunate incident that befell Tasike and his family,” Namazima added.
He also praised President Museveni and the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, for cultivating a pro-people military.
“All of this was only possible because of the professionalism of the force and the careful handling of the citizens as continuously guided by President Yoweri Museveni, the Commander in Chief of the UPDF,” he stated.
Major Namazima further thanked the Commander of SFC for overseeing the compensation process and the State House Comptroller, Jane Barekye, for providing the necessary facilitation.
The Resident District Commissioner (RDC) of Manafwa, Patience Webule, conveyed her profound gratitude to the SFC, expressing relief that the matter had reached a satisfying conclusion.
“When you come like this, we, the people of Manafwa district, are so humbled. It is a great relief that this matter has come to its gratifying conclusion,” Webule said.
Magumba Kefas, the LCI Chairperson of Buwere village, also extended thanks to the SFC for their support. The event was attended by SFC spokesperson Major Jimmy Omara and the DISO Manafwa district, Gwasaze Martin Andrew.
