By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
NATIONAL
Safety experts have warned that walking to school during the rainy season exposes pupils to deadly lightning strikes, urging parents and teachers to delay travel during storms.
The warning by the African Centres for Lightning and Electromagnetics Network (ACLENet) comes amid growing concern over lightning injuries that peak during heavy rains.
“Surviving school starts with staying safe during dangerous weather conditions,” the organisation said in a safety advisory circulated to schools, parents and community safety advocates across the continent.
The advisory urges pupils to avoid rivers, puddles and flooded paths during storms, avoid gathering outdoors and to seek proper shelter when thunder is heard.
“Protect your life first; lessons can wait until storms are over,” the message reads.
The warning comes days after a lightning tragedy in western Uganda last week in which two primary school pupils died after being struck while walking to school in Bushenyi District.
The victims, Maria Ainembabazi, 7, and Augustine Ainomukama, 10, pupils of St. Mary’s Primary School in Gongo, Kyamuhunga Bushenyi district, were struck near St. Mary’s Catholic Church as they returned to school from a lunch break on February 19.
Greater Bushenyi Regional Police spokesperson, SP Apollo Tayebwa urged the public to observe lightning safety precautions.
“We urge the general public to always abide by lightning safety guidelines,” Tayebwa said.
Another tragic incident occured in Oyam district when, Joseph Ebwanga, 26, a Primary Five teacher at Global View Primary School in Nora Village, Kamdini Sub-county Oyam district was struck by lightning, and injured 18 pupils during an afternoon lesson on February 17.
The injured pupils were rushed to Diicunyi Health Centre III for treatment. Another teacher, Otim Jimmy, also sustained injuries and was rushed to Atapara Hospital for medical treatment.
Experts estimate between 20 and 50 lightning deaths and injuries occur annually across Africa, making lightning a significant public health issue.
In Uganda, open areas such as schools, farms and refugee settlements are particularly vulnerable.
Many schools lack modern lightning protection systems, making classrooms and playgrounds potential hotspots for casualties during storms. But, government efforts to address this challenge by installing lightning arrestors in all public schools remain a nightmare.
Safety experts recommend installing lightning conductors, intensifying public awareness campaigns and removing taxes on safety equipment to encourage protection.
The Office of the Prime Minister has already warned of heavy rainfall and flash floods between February 19 and 28, 2026, especially in western, central and eastern Uganda.
The advisory, signed by Davis Mwenyi on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, warned of possible weather-related disruptions and hazards.
ACLENet says it has installed lightning protection systems in several schools across Africa, including five schools in Uganda in 2025.
However, inspections revealed cases of vandalism and damage to installed equipment.
“On many visits, we found damage caused by students themselves because schools had not taught them the value of protecting the system,” the organisation said.
To address the problem, ACLENet has worked with schools to form lightning safety committees comprising teachers, students and administrators to monitor systems and promote awareness.
Safety Tips
• BACK TO SCHOOL – SAFETY MESSAGE
Avoid rivers, puddles, and flooded paths when lightning storms are active.
Do not gather in groups outdoors during lightning storms on your way to school.
• BACK TO SCHOOL – SAFETY MESSAGE
Surviving school starts with staying safe during dangerous weather conditions.
• BACK TO SCHOOL – SAFETY MESSAGE
Parents and teachers should delay school travel during active lightning storms.
• BACK TO SCHOOL – SAFETY MESSAGE
Lightning can strike suddenly, even when rain seems light or far away.
• BACK TO SCHOOL – SAFETY MESSAGE
Protect your life first; lessons can wait until storms are over. Returning home safely is more important than arriving early during storms.
• BACK TO SCHOOL – SAFETY MESSAGE
Thunder means lightning is close enough to seriously injure or kill.
• BACK TO SCHOOL – SAFETY MESSAGE
Lightning danger increases on roads, hills, and open paths to school.
Do not shelter in small sheds or bus stops during lightning storms.
• BACK TO SCHOOL – SAFETY MESSAGE
Never continue walking to school when lightning and thunder begin nearby. Lightning can strike far from rain, so take storms seriously at all times.
“Lightning can strike suddenly, even when rain seems light or far away,” ACLENet warned.
As the rains intensify, safety advocates say community awareness and proper protection systems could save lives and prevent further tragedies in Uganda’s schools.
