Museveni compensates Manafwa house destroyed in chopper takeoff

MANAFWA - President Yoweri Museveni has compensated the family whose house was destroyed by a presidential helicopter takeoff during his countrywide Parish Development Model (PDM) tour to eastern region on December 17, 2024.

Special Forces Command (SFC) representative Maj. Isaac Newton Namazima, who handed over the compensation package on behalf of Chief of Staff Brig. Gen. Paul Namawa, on Thursday, June 5, 2025, said wind produced by rotor blades destroyed the house of Godwin Tasiki in Buwere village, Buwanyara ward, Butiro town council in Manafwa district.

“When the incident happened on the fateful day, SFC commander Maj. Gen. David Mugisha sent a team of engineers to Buwere village to assess the damage with the help of area security committee headed by Manafwa Resident District Commissioner Patience Webule and District Internal Security Officer (DISO) Martin Andrew Gwasaze,” he said.

“They later submitted a report to the Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, and President Museveni, who agreed to compensate the victims for the losses caused by the unfortunate incident,” he added.

"Usually, the presidential chopper lands on gazetted areas, especially on airstrips or airports, but our commander apologised because it was not intentional that it happened here in Manafwa," Namazima explained.

“We do not pay a deaf ear to such, and President Museveni directed State House controller Jane Barekye to spearhead the process and compensate the victims,” he concluded.

During the incident, the roof was blown off, the ceiling destroyed, and some walls cracked, but most of the damage was secondary and on that basis, President Museveni compensated you with shillings 29.184 million to renovate your shelter, he confirmed.

SFC soldiers led by Maj Isaac Newton Namazima, and Tasiki's family and relatives in Manafwa district on Thursday. (Credit: Isaac Nuwagaba)

SFC spokesperson Maj. Jimmy Dennis Omala, in a meeting with the house owner at SFC Headquarters Entebbe, agreed that he shall be boarding elsewhere with his family until the renovations are done at a rate of shillings 600,000 per month for two months.

“We align the commitment of UPDF as the people’s force at the centre of our service based on principles and values of loyalty, courage and integrity with a high level of professionalism,” Omala insisted.

He commended Tasiki and his family for their patience and perseverance while following proper channels in handling their complaint.

Tasiki and his family appreciate

With his family, Tasiki appreciated President Museveni for his humility and support towards renovation of his house.

“When this incident happened, I lost hope because they started telling me that the Government would never compensate me even if I forced my way into the State House. I went to the LC chairperson, through the DISO and the RDC, who promised to forward my request to President Museveni. I am grateful for his support of my family, Tasiki said while kneeling.

Tasiki earns a living through agriculture with his seven children and two wives.

Increase PDM money to help us do local investment

Kefas Magumba Walyawula, the LC1 chairperson of the area, asked the Government to increase the money for PDM to cater to those people whose groups were identified but had not received the money since the programme was implemented.

“What is now a challenge in our area is that some groups which were formed are still struggling to receive their money because there are still many. PDM shall supplement our income, and we shall increase local investment for sustainable development,” Walyawula said.