Pupil killed, five injured as lightning strikes Buliisa school

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Tragedy struck St Augustine Nursery and Primary School in Walukuba parish, Buliisa district, when lightning struck a group of pupils during a morning downpour, killing one and injuring five others.

The incident occurred on November 5, 2025, at about 10:30am when pupils had just returned to their classrooms after break.

According to the Police, Primary Two pupil Desmond Rwothomio, 7, succumbed to severe burns sustained in the strike.

Five other pupils: Glady Ayomirwoth, Tashi Ayiorwoth, Sarah Ayiorwoth, Gift Afoyorwoth and one yet-to-be-identified pupil sustained injuries of varying severity.

Police said the victims were rushed to nearby health facilities, where one remains hospitalised while four others are recovering steadily.

Officers visited the school, documented the scene, and recorded statements from witnesses and teachers.

The body of the deceased pupil was later handed to his family for burial at their ancestral home.

“We have launched an investigation to establish the exact circumstances under which the incident occurred. Our thoughts are with the affected families and the school community during this difficult time,” said Julius Allan Hakiza, the Albertine Region Police Spokesperson.

Other strikes around Uganda

Lightning strikes are uncommon in much of Uganda, but there are areas where they have struck and turned fatal for the victims.

This year alone, 11 lives have been claimed in Masindi district alone.

Speaking to New Vision Online in August, Albertine north Police region commander Damalie Nachuha said three separate incidents were reported between July and August 2025, resulting in multiple fatalities and injuries.

Last year, lightning strikes claimed over 10 lives. On November 2, 2024, a lightning strike hit a Catholic chapel in Palabek Refugee Settlement's Zone 2, Block 8, killing 14 people, while 34 others were left with multiple injuries.

Lightning strikes claimed over five lives in 2023 around the country.

For instance, on September 6, 2023, it was a double tragedy in Yumbe district after lightning struck two children dead.

On March 16, 2023, two members of the same family in Rukungiri district died on the spot after they were struck by lightning.

Kigezi region Police spokesman Elly Maate identified the victims as Enoth Tukwasibwe, 30 and his mother, Jolly Baryakabuza, 75, both residents of Keita Village in Nyabitete Parish, Bugangari sub-county.

On March 12, 2023, residents of Rwamuyoora village in Rubanda district, western Uganda were gripped with fear and shock after lightning killed three people: A father and his two sons.

The incident happened during an afternoon downpour at Rwamuyora cell, Nyarurambi parish, Muko sub-county.

According to a statement released by Kigezi region Police spokesperson Elly Maate, the incident occurred at about 2:00pm as Ambrose Kanunu, 35, was in the main house with his two sons identified as Justus Asiimwe, 7 and Arnold Habomugisha, 5.

In August 2020, lightning killed 10 boys at a football pitch in Gbulukua cell, Ayivu division in Arua city.

The boys aged between 13 and 15 were playing football when heavy rain forced them to take refuge in a nearby grass-thatched house, which was later struck by lightning.

In October 2018, three children died after being struck by lightning at Mongoyo Primary School in Yumbe district's Drajini sub-county.

In the same year, a lightning strike at Kebir Cell, Kenya Ward in Arua city's central division, left a 16-year-old boy dead. The deceased, Sabir, had reportedly gone to visit his three friends when the thunderbolt struck him dead.