Seventy-seven school children from various schools in Nebbi District are recovering after being injured by a lightning strike. The incident took place on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, at Oweko Primary School in Ndhew Sub-county while the children were seeking shelter from a heavy rainstorm.
The lightning strike occurred as the pupils were gathered for a sub-county level primary school sports competition. The affected students came from Owilo, Ogalo, Padel, Omoyo, and Oweko Primary Schools.
Charles Ovoya, the deputy head teacher at Oweko Primary School, confirmed that one teacher and seven pupils sustained serious injuries. They are currently receiving medical treatment at Nebbi General Hospital.
Agnes Acibu, the Woman Member of Parliament for Nebbi District, visited the scene and expressed her regret over the incident. She urged contractors working on government projects to prioritize the installation of lightning arrestors to prevent such incidents in the future.
This incident follows previous lightning strikes in the West Nile region. In September 2023, lightning strikes resulted in the deaths of three children and injuries to one in separate incidents. Fahad Bangutu, 12, and Zaidin Ayub, 9, from Lodonga Black Primary School, were struck while at home. Additionally, 12-year-old Suraya Ayyub was injured, and 16-year-old Sabir was killed by lightning in Kebir Cell, Kenya Ward.
In August 2020, lightning struck nine children playing football in Odramacaku, west of Arua City, resulting in fatalities.
