Air Force chief Gen Kiggundu dies in bathroom accident: Defence

Gen Kiggundu died in the bathroom at his official residence in Entebbe, Brig Gen Felix Kulayigye, the defence and military spokesperson, said.

The Deputy Commander of UPDF Air Force, Brig Gen Stephen Kiggundu, has died, the Defence and Military announced in an obituary on Easter Sunday evening.

Gen Kiggundu died in the bathroom at his official residence in Entebbe, Brig Gen Felix Kulayigye, the defence and military spokesperson, said.

"Brig Gen Stephen Kiggundu was well all day until the evening of today when he met his death in his bathroom," he added.

Gen Kulayigye did not provide details but sources told the Nile Post that the air force chief was electrocuted in a freak accident while taking a shower Sunday evening.

However, it remains unclear how the accident happened.

The late Kiggundu, who previously served as the commander of the Soroti Air Force wing, was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General and appointed deputy chief of the UPDF Airforce in November 2022.

The appointment of the late Kiggundu back then came in a reshuffle that saw Lt Gen Charles Lutaaya replaced with Maj Gen Charles Okidi -  who was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General - as the Airforce chief.

Lt Gen Charles Lutaaya was appointed senior presidential advisor on matters of Air Forces.

The late Kiggundu and his boss Gen Okidi took over at the defence air force at a time the national defence was losing resources, including experienced soldiers, in crash accidents.

The number of crashes has since reduced.

Kulayigye said the UPDF fraternity and Uganda Peoples Defence Forces Air forces "will miss Brig Gen Kigundu at this time when his services were most needed to continue strengthening our Air force capabilities".

___________________________________

This is a developing story...