The Director General of the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA), Fred Bamwesigye, has called for a thorough investigation into the crash of Air India Flight AI171, which claimed the lives of at least 240 people on June 12, 2025.
Bamwesigye, who is also the Chairman of the Regional Aviation Safety Group– African and Indian Ocean (RASG-AFI), issued a statement expressing his condolences to the families of the deceased and his commitment to working with the Civil Aviation Authority of India to determine the root cause of the tragedy.
Condolences and Solidarity
In his statement, Bamwesigye extended his deepest condolences to the Government of India, the families of the victims, and the global aviation community. He acknowledged the brave efforts of first responders and medical personnel who worked tirelessly at the scene. As Chairman of RASG-AFI, Bamwesigye pledged the organisation’s support and cooperation in the ongoing investigation.
Call for Thorough Investigation
Bamwesigye emphasised the importance of a thorough and transparent inquiry to determine the root causes of the catastrophic event.
He called upon all states in the region and beyond to reflect on the tragedy, re-examine safety systems, and reinforce collective action towards preventing future occurrences.
Prioritising Aviation Safety
The UCAA Director General highlighted that safety in aviation is not a destination, but a continuous journey. He emphasised the need to prioritise timely surveillance, safety audits, and resolution of findings and gaps to ensure the highest standards of air safety.
The Air India Flight AI171 crash is a painful reminder of the importance of aviation safety.
As the investigation into the tragedy continues, the UCAA and RASG-AFI are committed to working together with the international aviation community to determine the root cause of the accident and prevent similar occurrences in the future.
The thoughts of the aviation community are with the families of the victims, and may they find comfort during this extremely difficult time.