Panic and grief gripped Rwengiri Primary School in Kyengando Parish, Kigarama Sub-county, on the afternoon of Thursday, June 20, after lightning struck a classroom during a heavy downpour, killing two pupils and leaving 15 others hospitalized. The tragic incident occurred at around 3:00 PM while pupils were attending lessons with their teachers during a rainstorm that lasted nearly three hours.
The deceased have been identified as Isabellah Kemigisha, a Primary Three pupil, and Benson Beinomugisha, a Primary One pupil. Fifteen other pupils sustained injuries and are currently admitted to Bushenyi Medical Centre (BIM) Hospital in Kabwohe Town, Sheema Municipality.
The injured include: Akatukunda Blessing, Nuwamanya Sheldon, Kwikiriza Binaisa, Abaasa Seith, Akankwasa Blossom, Owokunda Poline, Turibamwe Alvin, Mpumwire Racheal, Ainomugisha Alicious, Mutaka Andrew, Owembabazi Vanisha, Ampiire Shanirah, Mutesi Rinah, and Mathias Twinomuhangi.
The headteacher of Rwengiri Primary School, Mr. Bernards Bangirana, told our reporter that the lightning struck an electricity pole near the school and likely traveled into the classrooms through the electrical wiring. “It was a terrifying moment. The sound was deafening. Pupils began screaming and collapsing. It’s a dark day for the school and the community,” Bangirana said.
Rev. Ven. Joseph Mweyungye, the West Ankole Diocesan Secretary, visited the injured children at BIM Hospital and extended his condolences to the bereaved families. He urged the community to remain strong in faith and avoid spreading misinformation. “We mourn with you and pray that God gives you comfort. Let us stand firm and not give in to rumours,” Rev. Mweyungye said. This is not the first time lightning has struck in Sheema District.
On January 13, 2024, a similar tragedy occurred in Kimondo II Cell, Kitagata Ward, Kitagata Town Council, when four children from the same family—all students of Kitagata Central Primary School—were killed by lightning while at home during an evening downpour.
The deceased siblings—Trevor Mujuni (11), Shanitah Akankunda (9), Comfort Nahabwe (10), and Lonnet Ainembabazi (7)—had taken shelter in the kitchen when they were fatally struck at around 5:50 PM. The recent tragedies have left communities in Sheema devastated and reignited concerns over the vulnerability of schoolchildren and households during lightning storms.
Kenneth Nuwagira, the Kigarama Sub-county LC5 councillor, has called on the government to urgently install lightning arrestors in schools and other public buildings across lightning-prone areas. By the time of filing this story, police had not yet issued an official statement.
