At least five people are no longer disturbing cooks after their life has been terminated by lightning while six others are currently fighting for their dear life in various hospitals in Kigezi subregion. Ben Kwikiriza is the youngest of the five deaths caused by lightning in Rubanda and Kanungu districts.
Aged 16, Kwikiriza was a resident of Kamusegwa cell in Rubanda town council. The other four lightening fatalities include a 63-year-old man identified as Sunday Owoyesiga, Edidiya Turyayebwa 42, and Diyana Kajowa 31.
Owoyesiga was a retired teacher living at Nyarurambi ward in Rubanda town council, Turyayebwa and Kajowa were residents of Kyamukende parish, Kanaabi subcounty, in Kanungu district.
Inspector of Police- IP Elly Mate, said lightening left scores nursing wounds in hospitals. Those injured by lightning strikes include a one Happy 45, Nyinakiiza Flora 40, Ayebazibwe Susan 16, Friday Akandwanaho 5, and Kirungi Blessings.
Police most of the killed and injured people were struck by lightning while they were attending to their gardens. Turyayebwa who died on spot was with wife and children in the garden. His children are admitted in hospitals.
Another person who met death this week through lightning is Bright Orikiriza 35, a resident of Karambo village Ikamiro parish Muko sub county. Apart of lightning, Rubanda and Kanungu have also recorded deaths by drowning. This is attributed to heavy down pours registered in various parts if the country this week.
Those who drowned to death include Orishaba Hilda 13, who was a daughter to Rushagunga Justus. The boy was living with parents Nangalo cell Hamurwa Town council in Rubanda district. “It’s alleged that the deceased at around 1400hrs went with her mother one Nyakarungi Beatrice to a nearby eucalyptus forest to collect beans sticks. That at around 1830hrs, the father of deceased started hearing from residents that his daughter had been washed by a stream from the rainfall and her body had been seen at a stream at Hamurwa town council,” Mate said.
Two other children identified as Arinaitwe Junior 12, and Innocent drowned in Kanungu district when they went to swim at river Kaku in Nyamabuye village, Buhumbu parish, Busanza sub county.