Lightning kills student in Rukiga

Saudah Ankunda. The deceased was a student at Kabale Trinity College

One person was yesterday killed by lightning during a heavy downpour in Kashambya sub-county, Rukiga district. The deceased identified as Saudah Ankunda, is a 20-year-old resident of Ruyumbu cell, Kitunga parish in Kashambya sub-county.

She was a S.3 student at Kabale Trinity College. 

According to the deceased's father, Johnson Ampwera, his daughter was struck when she had gone to work in the garden with her siblings. 

"It was at around 2:00pm when Ankunda and her three siblings went to the garden for some work. There was a heavy downpour and the children were struck by lightning as they attempted to seek shelter in the neighbourhood. Ankunda died on spot, while her young sister was rushed to Kisiizi Hospital where she is positively responding to medication," said Ampwera.

The deceased who was the second born of her parents' six children was described by her father as a hardworking child whose.

"I had a lot of hope in her because she was hard-working. I thought she would be a valuable person in future," said Ampwera.

At school, Ankunda was also a passionate netball player whose contribution will be greatly missed by her colleagues.

"Every after class she would be at the pitch to play netball. She was a leading shooter in the school netball team," added Edwin Mukamawenka, a Senior Four student.

Ankunda is the third person in about two weeks to be killed during heavy rains in Rukiga, following the death of two children who were swept by floods. 

Three other people were also in the same period confirmed dead in Kisoro district, including the Parish Priest of Mutolere Catholic Parish, Fr Flugence Habarurema and a woman, who were killed by floods last week in Muko sub-county Rubanda district.

Other areas affected by rains

According to the Kashambya sub-county chairperson, Elineo Bandaganiire, the heavy downpour also claimed a number of livestock and destroyed several crop gardens in Kitanga, Rushebeya, Kyehinde and Bucundura areas in Kashambya sub-county. 

"The first heavy downpour affected us, but yesterday's rains were more destructive. More villages were hit and we are afraid of a possible famine outbreak," said Bandaganiire.

About a week ago, heavy rains also devastated property worth millions of money in Rukiga district in Bukinda and Rwamucucu sub-counties also in Rukiga district.

The Kabale-Rwamucucu-Kisiizi road remains impassable following continued rains in the area.

Bridges on some roads including Rushekyera and Kyendi bridges were destroyed by the heavy rains.