7 dead in Uganda cargo plane crash

Seven people were killed after a cargo plane caught fire and crashed into Lake Victoria near Uganda's main airport on Monday, an army spokesman said. Maj. Felix Kulaigye said a Burundian, a Ugandan and a South African were among the dead. Four crew members whose nationalities are unknown were also killed. Kulaigye said eyewitnesses reported seeing the plane catch fire in the air before it crashed into the lake. It was carrying a cargo of water purifiers, pipes and other equipment, he said. Police spokeswoman Judith Nabakooba said the plane crashed near Bugunga Island and a team of police had been sent to the site. An official from the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority, Vianny Lugya, said the minister of transport will issue a statement shortly.