Two older people got hurt when lightning hit them during voting day in Kabale district. Moses Kenaama aged 69 and Faith Bushambire aged 73 lived in Habugarama village and came out to vote on Thursday. The weather turned bad fast and made voters run into a nearby house for safety. Lightning struck the building and injured both elderly people inside. Doctors at Kitooma health center are treating them and their condition remains very serious.
Jovia Kenaama told people that her husband Moses was one of the victims who got struck. She explained how the storm came quickly during the election and forced everyone to find shelter. The lightning bolt hit the house where people had gathered to stay dry. Emergency workers rushed both injured voters to the local health center for medical care. The Kigezi area where this happened sees many lightning accidents each year.
Records show that this region faces more lightning problems than most other parts of Uganda. Lightning killed Olly Baryakabuza and his son Enoth in nearby Rukungiri district back in March 2023. That same month lightning also killed Ambrose Kanunu and his two young boys in Rubanda district. Lightning struck down Fortunate Ainembabazi in Rukiga district during October 2013 when she collected rainwater. Four other people died from lightning strikes on that very same day.
Community leaders keep asking the government to buy lightning protection equipment for their areas. They want early warning systems that can tell people when dangerous storms approach. Public education programs could teach residents how to stay safe during thunderstorms and heavy rains.
Jovia Kenaama told people that her husband Moses was one of the victims who got struck. She explained how the storm came quickly during the election and forced everyone to find shelter. The lightning bolt hit the house where people had gathered to stay dry. Emergency workers rushed both injured voters to the local health center for medical care. The Kigezi area where this happened sees many lightning accidents each year.
Records show that this region faces more lightning problems than most other parts of Uganda. Lightning killed Olly Baryakabuza and his son Enoth in nearby Rukungiri district back in March 2023. That same month lightning also killed Ambrose Kanunu and his two young boys in Rubanda district. Lightning struck down Fortunate Ainembabazi in Rukiga district during October 2013 when she collected rainwater. Four other people died from lightning strikes on that very same day.
Community leaders keep asking the government to buy lightning protection equipment for their areas. They want early warning systems that can tell people when dangerous storms approach. Public education programs could teach residents how to stay safe during thunderstorms and heavy rains.
