Passengers aboard a Kenya Airways flight from Entebbe to Nairobi escaped unharmed on Sunday morning after the aircraft developed technical concerns linked to a bird strike shortly after departure, forcing the crew to return to Uganda as a safety measure.

The incident involved flight KQ421, which had left Entebbe International Airport for Nairobi before the crew detected the impact moments after take-off.

According to the airline, safety procedures were immediately activated before the pilots made the decision to divert the aircraft back to Entebbe.

The plane landed safely at around 10:41 a.m. East African Time, with all passengers and crew disembarking safely without injuries.

Kenya Airways said preliminary inspections revealed damage to parts of the aircraft’s steering system, prompting engineers to begin repair works before the aircraft could resume operations.

The airline indicated that the aircraft was expected to return to service later in the evening, although the disruption could affect scheduled flights within its network.

“We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused to our guests and reassure them that their safety and that of our staff remains our number one priority,” the airline said in a statement.

The national carrier added that its customer service teams were assisting affected passengers and providing the necessary support following the disruption.

Bird strikes remain one of the common safety risks in aviation, particularly during take-off and landing, and can sometimes cause damage to aircraft engines or control systems depending on the point of impact.