Naomi Karungi | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1978-12-01)1 December 1978 |
| Died | 28 January 2020(2020-01-28) (aged 41) Bulo, Uganda |
| Education | East African Civil Aviation Academy (Commercial Pilot Licence) |
| Alma mater | Makerere University (Bachelor of Arts inEconomics andSocial Work) |
| Years active | 2003–2020 |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance |  Ugandan Air Force |
| Rank | Major |
| Commands | Squadron Commander ofAugusta Bell Helicopters |
Naomi Karungi (1 December 1978 – 28 January 2020) was a Ugandanhelicopter pilot who, at the time of her death, was the Squadron Commander ofAugusta Bell Helicopters in theUPDF Air Force.[1][2][3]
She was born inNtungamo District, in theWestern Region of Uganda. She attended local primary and secondary schools. She studied atMakerere University, graduating with aBachelor of Arts degree inSocial Work andEconomics. She was then admitted to theEast African Civil Aviation Academy, graduating with aCommercial Pilot Licence, after three years of instruction.[4] Karungi was scheduled to travel to the United States later in 2020, to train as a helicopter flight instructor.[5][6]
Around 2002, Naomi joined the UPDF Air Force before she obtained her pilot licence. Upon qualification as a pilot, she was posted to Entebbe Air Force Base. She selected to fly helicopters, as opposed to fixed-wing aircraft, according to her video testimony in 2019. She was encouraged to specialize in helicopters by the UPDF Air Force commanders at the time.[3][5][7]
Through her entire career of 15 years (2005–2020) with the UPDF Air Force, she flew transport helicopters. In 2015, she piloted PresidentYoweri Museveni from his country home inRwakitura toEntebbe.[4][8]
She was the most experienced female helicopter pilot in the UPDF Air Force at the time of her death. At the rank of Major, she was the Commander of the Bell Helicopter Squadron in the UPDF Air Force.[9]
On the morning of 28 January 2020, a UPDF Air ForceBell Jetranger helicopter registration number AF-302, en route fromKalama Armoured Warfare Training School toEntebbe Air Force Base carrying Major Karungi andLieutenant Benon Wakalo, acadet pilot, crashed intoNdese Hill, nearBulo, inButambala District, during atropical thunderstorm. Both flight crew died at the scene. They were on their way from Kabamba on a joint training exercise for air defense forces. The exercise had been cancelled due to bad weather.[5][8][10]