News
Lightning strike kills three children in Kiryandongo
The deceased were identified as: Christin Nakiria, seven and a half years old, and Arnold Ssentumbwe, four years old.
The incident occurred on Thursday, August 13, at around 2pm after a house where six children had taken shelter was struck. (File photo)
By: Saidi Engola, Journalist @New Vision
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Three children have been killed by lightning in Kikunya Village, Mboira Sub-County, Kiryandongo District.
The incident occurred on Thursday, August 13, at around 2pm after a house where six children had taken shelter was struck.
The deceased were identified as: Christin Nakiria, seven and a half years old, and Arnold Ssentumbwe, four years old.
Three others who had taken shelter in the same house were unhurt.
Grace Nanyonga, the bereaved grandmother, said she was in the kitchen preparing food when she heard a loud sound and rushed to check on the six children inside the house.
“I found three children crying while the other three were lying on the ground. We took them to a nearby clinic, where three were pronounced dead while the other three were admitted for further examination," she said.
Grace Nanyonga, the bereaved grandmother, said she was in the kitchen preparing food when she heard a loud sound and rushed to check on the six children inside the house.
“I found three children crying while the other three were lying on the ground. We took them to a nearby clinic, where three were pronounced dead while the other three were admitted for further examination," she said.
Sunday Paul, the LC1 Chairperson of Kikunya Village, who extended condolences to the bereaved, said the area has experienced other lightning-related incidents.
Machael Jean Watumbe, the LC III of Mboira sub-county, urged residents to take precautions during thunderstorms, including avoiding outdoor activities and seeking shelter in safe places.
Watumbe said he had also received reports about one Paul from a neighbouring village who was also struck by lightning on Tuesday.
He said on the same day, a lightning strike at Kisibu trading centre damaged the electricity pole and destroyed community property. On the same day, lightning struck four people in Bombo Trading Centre, Masindi.
He said the lightning strike also recalls the devastating lightning strike at Runyanya Primary School 15 years ago, which killed 18 pupils and injured at least 38 others. He mentioned that in June 2011, lightning struck Runyanya Primary School.
Machael Jean Watumbe, the LC III of Mboira sub-county, urged residents to take precautions during thunderstorms, including avoiding outdoor activities and seeking shelter in safe places.
Watumbe said he had also received reports about one Paul from a neighbouring village who was also struck by lightning on Tuesday.
He said on the same day, a lightning strike at Kisibu trading centre damaged the electricity pole and destroyed community property. On the same day, lightning struck four people in Bombo Trading Centre, Masindi.
He said the lightning strike also recalls the devastating lightning strike at Runyanya Primary School 15 years ago, which killed 18 pupils and injured at least 38 others. He mentioned that in June 2011, lightning struck Runyanya Primary School.