A joyous and emotional moment on Thursday June 5, 2026, engulfed the home of Mr. Godwin Aaron Tasike in Buwere village, Buwanyera Ward, Butiru Town Council, Manafwa district as family members gathered to receive compensation from the government for the damages caused by the Presidential helicopter on their house in December 2024.
“I am very happy that my call has been answered. I didn’t know how my house would be repaired, God is great,” Mr. Tasike emotionally remarked as his wife Catherine Tasike clutched the compensation funds on her bosom while kneeling down in acknowledgment of God’s grace.
The 45-year-old grade machine operator in Manafwa district local government and a farmer, was extremely delighted for the kind gesture extended to him and his family by the Special Forces Command (SFC).
A sum of Shs29,184,000 was given to the family as compensation for the refurbishment of their house which was damaged by the Presidential helicopter while landing and taking off at Butiru Demonstration Primary School playgrounds on 17th December 2024. This was during President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s zonal performance assessment tour on the Parish Development Model (PDM) in the area.
Part of the compensation will cater for the temporary accommodation for Mr. Tasike and his family as their house is being renovated.
While handing over the funds to the family, Maj. Newton Isaac Namazima who represented the Chief of Staff- SFC, Brig. Gen. Paul Namawa, said this was a strong testament and milestone exhibited by Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) and SFC in particular of creating a robust bond between the forces and the civilians.
He commended Mr. Tasike for his patience that enabled SFC to assess the magnitude of the damage leading to the estimation of the compensation.
“This is yet another moment when we experience the commitment of UPDF to its roles as a people’s force on the aspect of fostering harmony and peace between the security forces and the civilian authorities as well as members of the district security committee who endeavored to inform us about the unfortunate incident that befell Mr. Tasike and his family,” Maj. Namazima said.
Additionally, Maj. Namazima highly commended President Museveni for his continuous guidance in building a professional force. He also praised the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba for his guidance in building a pro-people force.
“All of this was only possible because of the professionalism of the force and the careful handling of the citizens as continuously guided by His Excellency President Yoweri Museveni, the Commander in Chief of the UPDF,” he said.
Maj. Namazima further thanked the Commander of SFC for steering the compensation process up to its fruition, the Chief of Staff SFC for trusting him to deliver the funds and the State House Comptroller, Ms. Jane Barekye for providing the facilitation.
Maj. Namazima, who apologized to the family of Mr. Tasike for the unfortunate incident, reaffirmed the unwavering commitment of SFC to fostering and maintaining a robust cordial working relationship with the public characterised by loyalty, courage and integrity.
The Resident District Commissioner (RDC) of Manafwa, Ms. Patience Webule expressed her profound gratitude to the SFC for the kind gesture towards the family of Mr. Tasike.
“When you come like this, we the people of Manafwa district are so humbled. It is a great relief that this matter has come to its gratifying final conclusion,” she remarked.
The LC 1 Chairperson of Buwere village, Mr. Magumba Kefas also thanked SFC for the support towards the family of Mr. Tasike.
He said the people of Manafwa district in general and Butiru in particular are going to reciprocate in kind come 2026.
The event was also attended by the SFC spokesperson Maj. Jimmy Omara and the DISO Manafwa district, Mr. Gwasaze Martin Andrew – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Lv_GylLWQM
