Uganda People News: Sudanese president survives plane accident in Uganda
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First published: 20091125 6:14:37 AM EST
Ultimate Media
The President of Southern Sudan, Gen. Salva Kiir has today morning survived a plane accident at Gulu Airfield, in northern Uganda, Walakira Nyanzi reports.
The Deputy Police Commander for Northern Uganda, Aziku Zata has told journalists that the mishap occurred after one of the tyres of the plane ruptured as the plane was takinf off.
The life of Kiir and all other senior officials from Southern Sudan were saved by the pilot who managed to control the plane from hitting trees.
Kiir arrived in Uganda on Tuesday aboard an Antonov 74 cargo plane.
The Deputy Police commander says the accident happened at around 9:45am.
Police say no one was injured although the Ugandan doctors critically examined the lives of all people on board.
The government of Southern Sudan sent another plane to collect Gen. Salva Kiir and his delegation.
The security has been tightened in Gulu and other parts of northern Uganda following the accident.
Gen. Kiir visited Uganda on Tuesday this week on the invitation of president Museveni.
The two leaders inspected the disputed Uganda- Sudan boarder area.
If Kiir had died, he was going to be the second President of Southern Sudan to crash in a plane accident.
In 2005, Col. John Garang, the founding President of Southern Sudan died when the Ugandan helicopter which he was traveling in to Sudan crashed in the three Imatong Mountains.
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