Lightning Kills Two In Kaabong As Rain Season Begins
Two people were on Thursday afternoon confirmed dead and another nine critically injured after being struck by lightning as the wet season started in Kaabong district, Karamoja sub region.
The incident occurred during a light and sunny shower at Namatonyi village in Kawalokol Sub County, about 234 kilometers North East of Moroto town.
Local leaders have identified the dead as Lukia Nakwang and Nabokoi daughter of Lokodo both residents of Namatonyi village, Dodoth East Constituency in Kaabong district.
The nine who are in critical condition and admitted in Kaabong Hospital include, Komol Mati, Matile Namono, Agnes Nachun, Mary Akong, and Kiyonga Loono. Others are Namuya Meri, Logwe Iniafio and Losikei son of Lokuda.
Simon Komol, the Sub County parish chief Kawalokol admits 11 people were taking a shelter from the afternoon showers before the disaster struck. He describes the incident as unfortunate for the families who lost members. He advises the communities to avoid walking in rain barefoot and sometimes have their mobile phones switched.
Irene Aceng, the Karamoja Police says first rains always appears disastrous advising the public to extra careful with places where they take shelter. She encourages residents to be conscious whenever it rains.
This is not the first time lightning has struck Karamoja region. In 2013 three people were struck dead in Irriri Sub County, Napak district. Also last year one student teacher Kotido Teachers’ College was struck dead with several injured while playing in the college football ground in Kotido district.
In 2011 lightning killed a UPDF soldier at Narengapak village in Kathile Sub County in Kaabong district. Another incident in Kaabong 2011 occurred at Kapedo and Kawalokol sub counties where five people were killed in one day. Also in June 2012, Kotido Army School lost Daniel Moding a P.3 pupil while on his way back home.
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