Heavy Thunder Strikes, 7 Hospitalised

Pupils of Runyanya Primary School in Kiryandongo district hospitalised after they were struck by lightening in 2011

Seven students of Mandela Secondary school in Hoima have been hospitalized after being struck by lightning.

The students are admitted at EDPA Medical Centre in Hoima town.

The lightning struck the school during a heavy downpour on Tuesday August 6, at around 3pm.

Shallot Katusabe, a student of Senior two and one of the survivors said that they were in class and they heard an echo of thunder.

She further said that moments later all the lights were off and several of her colleagues were unconscious.

Most of the students are on drip. The victims that have been identified by Police are Florence Murungi and Juliet Nambuya, they are senior two students, Julian Baker Kabateremwa, Sheila Kimuli, and Gloria Katushabe all of senior three and Brendah Nyakojo and Helen Murungi of senior one.

Efforts to reach the hospital officials were futile as clinic director was not ready to comment.

“I am yet to make a diagnosis on the patients, there I will have something to say,” said Dr. Doctor Ediam the clinical doctor of EDPA Medical Centre.

Mandela Secondary School resident director Donald Bategeka ruled out reports that the students had been struck by lightning.

“The school has lightning arresters. Only students with an Asthmatic condition were affected because loud bangs sometimes trigger an Asthma attack,” roared Donald Bategeka.

Meanwhile the police have swung into action and vowed to launch a massive crackdown on schools and other public establishments without lightning conductors.

Lydia Tumushabe, the Albert region police spokesperson, said that some institutions have refused to install lightning conductors despite several warnings.

In 2011, 20 pupils of Runyanya Primary School in Kiryandongo district were killed by lightning. More than 50 others sustained severe burns.