Two teen brothers killed by suspected lightning strike in Sheema

SHEEMA - Tragedy struck Kisizi central cell in Shuuku town council, Sheema district, on August 11, 2025, evening when two school-going brothers were killed in what Police suspect to be a lightning strike.

The victims, identified as Christian Demus Tugabiirwe, 14, and his younger brother Christian Triva Twinomugisha, 12, were pupils at St Charles Lwanga Primary School in Shuuku.

They were residents of Kinogo Cell, Kishabya Ward, in the same town council.

According to police, the boys had not attended school on August 11, 2025, and were returning home from grazing goats when the incident occurred at about 5:45pm.

“It is alleged that they were struck by lightning while bringing the goats back home. Our officers responded to the scene and transported the bodies to Kabwohe Health Centre IV for a postmortem to confirm the exact cause of death,” said Christian Apollo Tayebwa, the Greater Bushenyi Regional Police Spokesperson.

He added that investigations are ongoing, and the public will be updated as more information becomes available.

Tayebwa urged residents to remain vigilant during the rainy season and to work closely with law enforcement to safeguard lives and property. 

Other strikes around the country 

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

Last year alone, 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.