A requiem mass for deceased UPDF air force pilot Maj. Naomi Karungi got underway Thursday at Church of the Resurrection in Bugolobi.

Karungi perished in a military jet accident that happened on Tuesday along with her co-pilot Cadet Pilot Benon Wakalo.

On Wednesday, the army launched investigations into what could have caused the Jet Ranger AF302 to crash in Bulo, Butambala District.

Karungi was supervising Wakalo who hoped to rise through the ranks and probably become a captain like her. According to one of her bosses, she had risen to level of doing test flights and recommend which aircraft needed repair.

She was also allowed to fly VIPs.

“It will take us long to groom another brave female pilot like her”, Brigadier Lukid, the chief of staff said.

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Karungi was born in December 1978 in Akajumbura, Nyakahita in Kiruhura District while Wakalo was from Manafa District.

Karungi attended Kasambya Primary School in Lyantonde, before joining Kinoni Girls Secondary School in Mbarara District, now Rwampara.

She joined Makerere University in 1999 where she did a Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences and graduated in 2002.

She briefly worked with Kampala City Council, now Kampala Capital City Authority.

Karungi later joined the army in 2004. After the military training, she passed the aptitude tests to qualify for a course at Soroti Flying School.

The interview was conducted by the Civil Aviation Authority on behalf of the air force.

In 2005, Karungi went to Soroti Flying School where she acquired a Pilot Private Licence.

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