KABALE
Three pupils of Katojo Primary School in Kahungye Sub-county, Kabale District, are in critical condition after they were struck by lightning during a heavy downpour on Wednesday afternoon.
The victims; Duncan Saturday, a Primary Three pupil, and Gracious Ayebare and Mackline Desire Tukamushaba, both in Primary Five, were left shocked and unconscious following an afternoon lightning bolt as they walked home for lunch. They are currently admitted at Kabale Regional Referral Hospital.
The LCII Chairperson of Habuhuriro Parish, Ivan Willy Twikiriize, says the incident occurred at about 2:00pm as pupils were leaving school for the lunch break.
Twikiriize said although teachers had delayed releasing learners due to the rain, some pupils became impatient and ran out into the downpour when the lightning struck.
“Teachers had delayed sending pupils home for lunch, but some learners ran out under the rain before the incident happened,” he said.
By press time, the three pupils were still receiving treatment, with hospital sources indicating that they had started regaining consciousness.
Uganda has in recent years recorded several deadly lightning incidents. In June 2011, a lightning strike at Runyanya Primary School in Kiryandongo District killed 18 pupils and injured 38 others. More recently, in November 2024, 14 children were killed and more than 32 injured at Palabek Refugee Settlement.
Other incidents have been reported in Nebbi District, where dozens of pupils were injured, while in Arua City, children playing football were also killed by lightning strikes. Also two pupils of St Mary’s Kyamuhunga in Bushenyi district namely; Ainembabazi Maria, 7, primary one, and Ainomukama Augustine, 10, primary five, both residents of Gongo cell in Kyamuhunga, were on February 20, 2026 struck dead by lightning as they returned to school for afternoon lessons.
Authorities have urged schools and communities to take extra precautions during heavy rains to avoid similar incidents.
The African Centres for Lightning Education Network (ACLENet) previously warned about the dangers of exposure during thunderstorms, especially for school-going children.
“Lightning is Africa’s most dangerous natural disaster, but it is preventable,” ACLENet said, urging schools, parents and other stakeholders to put in place measures to protect children.
The organisation further called on schools that are not yet protected to prioritise installation of standard lightning protection systems to safeguard learners and staff during the rainy season.
As part of creating more awareness on lightning safety, Uganda will mark International Lightning Safety Day (ILSD) on June 28, 2026, with the national event scheduled at Nkurungiro Primary School.
The day commemorates the 18 pupils who died in the 2011 Runyanya tragedy, with this year marking the 15th anniversary of the incident.
The First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Museveni, is expected to officiate at the commemoration in honour of lives lost to lightning strikes in Uganda and across the world.
