About 77 primary school pupils were struck by lightning at Oweko Primary School in Ndhew Sub-County, Nebbi District, on Wednesday afternoon. The incident occurred while the pupils were playing football during a school competition.
An eyewitness reported that the lightning struck the pupils, who were from various primary schools, including Owilo, Ogalo, Padel, and Omoyo, with Oweko Primary School hosting the event. Peter Okaba, a resident of Oweko Centre, described hearing a loud bang and seeing a bright flash of light, followed by the sound of children crying for help.
“When we went to see what happened, we found pupils had been struck by lightning. We then started connecting for a rescue team for an ambulance from Nebbi Hospital, which is over four kilometers away,” he said.
The head teacher of Oweko Primary School, Ms. Roseline Mungacel, confirmed that 77 pupils, one teacher, and one community member were struck. Seven of the injured, who were in critical condition, were rushed to Nebbi Hospital for treatment. The critically injured include Rose Ayiorwoth, a teacher from Owilo Primary School, and pupils Gloria Atyeronimungu, Lynette Pimer, Bridget Micparwoth, Saviour Afoyorwoth, and Marvin Yikparwoth from Omoyo Primary School.
“We have not recorded any death cases,” Ms. Mungacel said, adding that the school does not have a lightning arrestor.
Mr. Bosco Okwai, the LCIII Chairman for Ndhew Sub-County, explained that the pupils were participating in primary school football and netball competitions at Oweko Primary School playground. The games were halted as the injured pupils were taken to Nebbi Hospital for treatment.
He added that during the rain showers, all the schools sought shelter at the host school, leading to the tragic incident.
In September 2023, lightning struck and killed three children and injured one in two separate incidents in the West Nile region. Fahad Bangutu, 12, a Primary Three pupil, and Zaidin Ayub, 9, a Primary One pupil, were struck while boiling water at home. Suraya Ayub, 12, sustained injuries, while 16-year-old Sabir was struck dead in a similar incident.
Health experts advise that during rainstorms, individuals should avoid cliffs or rocky overhangs for shelter, stay away from bodies of water, and keep clear of objects that conduct electricity, such as barbed wire fences, power lines, or windmills.
