By John Mapambano
Residents of Kyotera District are reeling in shock after a powerful thunderstorm struck Kabaale Village, leaving a trail of destruction and tragedy.
The storm, which occurred during a heavy downpour accompanied by intense lightning and thunder, caused significant damage to property and loss of life.
According to eyewitness Viola Mukantaganda, a strong lightning strike hit a grazing field, killing more than 30 cattle instantly.
A nearby house was also destroyed, while a large tree in the area reportedly dried up immediately after being struck—highlighting the sheer intensity of the lightning.
Tragically, a man who had been tending to the animals was killed in the incident, plunging the entire community into mourning.
Residents described terrifying moments as loud thunderclaps echoed across the village, followed by cries as the scale of destruction became evident.
Local leaders are now calling for heightened awareness about lightning safety, especially during the rainy season, warning that such incidents pose a serious threat to both lives and livelihoods. Authorities are yet to issue an official statement, but the community remains united in grief as it comes to terms with the loss.
According to Barnabas Akantambira, Country Coordinator of the African Centres for Lightning Education Network, lightning poses an increased danger during this rainy season.
He urged the public to exercise extreme caution, emphasizing that parents and teachers must avoid allowing children to walk to or from school during active storms.
The warning comes in the wake of a recent tragedy in western Uganda, where two primary school pupils were struck and killed by lightning while returning to school after lunch in Bushenyi District.
In Uganda, many schools still lack lightning arrestors, leaving classrooms and playgrounds exposed during storms, despite ongoing government efforts to install protective systems. Farms and open settlements also remain highly vulnerable due to limited lightning protection infrastructure.
Safety experts are calling for urgent measures, including the installation of lightning conductors in schools, increased public awareness campaigns, and the removal of taxes on safety equipment to improve accessibility and protection.
