A Senior Three student from Green Field Secondary School in Masindi town has died after being struck by lightning on Tuesday evening in Kakwese 1 cell, Nyangahya division.
The deceased has been identified as Sylvia, daughter of Daniel Kafanibenda. The incident occurred around 6:00 PM during a heavy downpour as Sylvia was preparing supper in the family kitchen alongside her two brothers.
According to Kakwese LC1 Chairperson Peruth Balinda, Sylvia was rushed to Nyamigisa Health Center in critical condition but was pronounced dead on arrival. Her two brothers escaped physical injury, though one was treated for shock and has since recovered.
Balinda stated that this is the first fatal lightning incident in the cell in over thirty years. She urged residents to take precautionary measures, such as wearing shoes during storms and preventing children from playing in the rain, to mitigate such risks.
This tragedy marks the seventh lightning-related fatality in Masindi District within a single month. The recent spate of incidents began with a death in Kikuube village, Kikonzi Sub County, and was followed roughly two weeks ago by a strike at a market in Kibibira village, Kiruli Sub County, which killed five people.
Sylvia’s body is currently at her parents’ home as arrangements are made for her burial later today.