BUSHENYI – On Tuesday was a sombre mood in the village of Nyanga in Butooma sub-county Bushenyi districts when thunder and lightning struck 30 people who were harvesting tea in from their respective gardens.
Witnesses say that when the rain started in the morning, casual labourers rushed to look for where they can get sheltered from the heavy rains that shortly after they had reached waiting for trucks to load their tea, thunder and lightning struck them leaving 5 people dead.
These were rushed to Kampala International University Hospital in Ishaka town and the bodies were taken to the mortuary.
Those who died on spot have been identified as Innocent Atwemerireho 17, Nixon Akankunda 13 both from Koonyo village, Justus Byamukama 15, from Nyakashojwa village, Shallot Tuhwerirwe from Nyakashojwa village and Elisam Tayebwa around 50 years from Nyakatembe village all in Bitooma sub-county.
Ms. Deodata Amutusimire one of the mothers who lost her child expressed her grief saying she was shocked when she had heard that her child was killed by lightning.
“I was in the same garden harvesting tea but when it started raining, I decided to go for shelter in another place shortly we started hearing people making noise, reaching the place where some workers had gone for shelter, I found even my son was among those who died, the bodies were rushed to KIU hospital,” said Amutusimire.
She called upon the government to ensure they install lightning arresters to guarantee their safety during the rainy season.
We have been told the casualties are still admitted at Kampala International hospital in Ishaka.
