KANUNGU – Four people died instantly and two got injured after a lightning bolt struck them during a heavy downpour in Kanungu district.
The incident happened on Wednesday, September 11, 2019 at around 16:00 hours at Nyakarambi cell in Rutenga parish in Kanungu district.
The deceased have been identified as Herbert Kanyonyi 38, a resident of Nyamugari cell, Avidence Nuwamanya, 38, Fred Akandwanaho, 13, a pupil at Kyashamiro primary school, all residents of Kyashaniro cell Mafuga parish Rutenga Sub County in Kanungu district.
The injured whose identities haven’t been established by press time were admitted at Mafuga health center 2.
According to Rodgers Nuwagaba, the coordinator of crime preventers Rutenga sub-county said that the six were in Kyashaniro trading center, Nyakarambi cell seated in different shops.
“These people were seated in different shops in the trading center when lightning hit them, and the four died instantly”. He said.
The Chairperson LC1 Nyakarambi cell, Moses Nuwagaba, said that rain started with simple drops followed by lightning and it increased severely after lightening had killed the four.
“We really don’t understand this it was droplets that could not expect lightning, but we also heard a heavy thunder we think it killed these people”. He said.
He said that they had just removing sorghum from the compound they were sun drying.
Elly Maate the Kigezi region police mouthpiece said that it was unfortunate thus cautioning residents to be so protective during this heavy rainy season.
Mr. Maate advised the public to always ensure the places they seek hide in during rains are sheltered with lightning arrestors in a bid to reduce on the death by lightning.” Maate advised.
“It’s unfortunate that we have lost innocent souls. It’s may appeal to all the residents that they should take caution in this period when rains intensify in the region so that we may service such calamities” Maate advised.
This is not the first time lightning is killing people in Kanungu.
On August 3, 2018, lightning struck and killed Peninah Katushabe and her 25-year-old daughter Rechael Turyakira, who was a student of Kihihi Vocational Center in Kihihi Town Council, Kanungu district.
