Lightning kills child, scores displaced by heavy rains

Feb 25, 2019

The heavy rains were characterised by strong winds and hail

Shock and fear gripped residents of Busimo village, Makutuu sub-county in Bugweri district when a 2-year-old boy died instantly after being hit by lightning.

The deceased, Yunusu Wamwunyu, was struck during a heavy downpour on Sunday as he sat in the living room with his mother.

His parents Mohamed Wamwunyu and Alima Kagoya were rushed to Iganga Main Hospital with multiple burns on the head, hands and torso as a result of the lightning strike.

According to the Busimo village LC1 chairman, Fahad Kakaire, over 18 families have also been left homeless following the heavy downpour that lasted for over three hours.

Kakaire said the heavy rains that were characterised by strong winds and hail blew off rooftops of several houses.

He said the displaced people are currently in urgent need of shelter, food and clothing after all their crops and property were destroyed during the downpour.

Kagoya said she saw a bright light pass go through the living room window followed by a loud bang and her son was hurled almost 10 meters away.

"I ran quickly to pick him up only to discover that he was already dead," she said.

Ibrahim Osonde, a health worker at Iganga Main Hospital, said the couple has been admitted in the intensive care unit after discovering that the injuries suffered were life-threatening.

James Mubi, the Busoga East Police spokesman confirmed the incident and urged locals to always install lightning conductors on their houses so as to avoid similar incidents.

The body of the deceased was by press time still lying at the Iganga Hospital Mortuary awaiting a postmortem.

 

 

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