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Three women killed as lightning strikes Kisoro, Iganga
Kigezi regional police spokesman, Mr Elly Maate. Photo/ Robert Muhereza
What you need to know:
- Twizerimana and Nyirandabazi's death happened just hours after another woman, a teacher at Nambale Primary School in Nambale sub-county, Iganga District was also struck dead by lightning.
Two women in Kisoro District in western Uganda were on Friday struck dead by lightning as they retired to their homes, hours after another was killed under similar circumstances in the eastern Uganda district of Iganga.
Police spokesman for Kigezi region Mr Elly Maate Saturday afternoon identified the deceased as Florence Twizerimana, an 18-year-old resident of Rikofe village in Chibumba parish Murora Sub County and Flora Nyirandabazi, a 63-year-old resident of Chibumba ward in Chahafi town council in Kisoro district.
“It's alleged that, on the 02/02/2024 at around 1730hrs, at Rukofe village Chibumba parish Murora sub-county, Kisoro District, while one Florence Twizerimana was returning from a local market and one Flora Nyirandabazi was from her garden. They were struck as they walked together along the pathway,” Mr Maate said.
Their bodies were discovered by passersby who reported the incident to the authorities.
“The police immediately visited the scene before the bodies were handed over to the relatives for burial. This is a natural calamity that is beyond human nature. The case of sudden death by lightning has been recorded at Kisoro police station under DEF 02/2024,” Mr Maate added.
Twizerimana and Nyirandabazi's death happened just hours after another woman, a teacher at Nambale Primary School in Nambale sub-county, Iganga District was also struck dead by lightning.
Joy Kanage is said to have been walking in the school compound when lightning struck her, according to the Nambale sub-county LC3 chairman, Mr Nasur Ibanda.
“Police handed over the body to her relatives for burial since it was confirmed that the cause of her death was lightning,’’ Mr Ibanda said on Friday.
The Iganga District LC5 chairman, Mr Ezra Gabula, urged the government to reinforce the installation of lightning arresters at schools before they reopen for the first term next week.
Past incidents
Last year in March, lightning struck and killed a man and his two children in Rwamuyora village in Nyarurambi parish Muko sub-county Rubanda District as they took shelter in their house during a heavy downpour.
Police identified the deceased family head as Ambrose Kanunu, 35, his sons Justus Asiimwe, 7, and Arnold Habomugisha 5.
