A woman was
on Friday struck dead by lightning in Rubanda district.
Rhoda Orishaba, a
resident of Kiriba village in Nshanjaare town council, Rubanda West County was
struck at around 6:40 PM. Caleb Tusingwiire, a resident and
Amos Byaruhanga, speaker for Nshanjaare town council say that the incident
happened when Orishaba was cultivating with other residents.
As they were digging,
it started to rain, but in the process, lightning struck Orishaba, killing her
instantly. They say that her child was rushed to Ndgeego Health Centre III but
later referred to Kiizi Health Centre IV while in critical condition.
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Mary Tumusiime, a
mother-in-law to the deceased, says that the incident has left the family in shock.
Rubanda district and
other districts in the entire Kigezi region are prone to lightning.
In December, Treasure
Arinda, a 13-year-old son of Vincent Wednesday and a primary five pupil at
Kacherere Primary School, and Elia Mwebesa, were struck dead by lightning while
collecting firewood near their homes during a heavy downpour.
In September 2021,
Stanley Sunday Owoyesiga alias Tissue,63, a head teacher of Golden Star High
School, Ben Kwikiriza,16, a resident of Rwamuyora village in Muko sub-county
and Bright Orikiriza, a resident of Karambo Village in Rubanda district were
also struck dead by lightning. In August of the same year, Vanesta
Ayebare, 15, a pupil at Green Field Nursery and Primary School in Hamurwa town
council, was also killed by lightning while sleeping.
The 2021 National Risk and
Vulnerability Atlas of Uganda a booklet that locates areas that are prone to
disasters in the country including the preparedness, response, and management
strategies, listed South Western Uganda especially Kanungu and Rubanda district
among districts prone to Landslides and flooding and lightning.