Iganga, (UG): A primary school teacher at Nambale P/S in Nambale sub-county, Iganga District died on Friday after he was struck by lightning, DailyExpress has learnt.
The deceased identified as Ms Joy Kanage is said to have been walking in the school compound when lightning struck her dead instantly.
Mr Nasur Ibanda, the LC3 chairperson of Nambale sub-county confirmed Kanage’s death and said the body was handed over to her relatives for burial since it was confirmed that the cause of her death was lightning.
Iganga District Chairperson, Mr Gabula Ezra urged the government to reinforce the installation of lightning arresters at schools before they reopen for the first term next week.
“Most of the schools in my district are operating without lightning arresters; therefore, the government should enforce their installation as schools prepare to open on Monday,” he said.
The Iganga District Education Officer, Mr Baker Kasadhakawo, however, differed from Mr Gabula’s statement saying; “I can tell you that schools in my district have lightning arresters, but they cannot operate over long meters (radius) from buildings.”
“The deceased was struck from the football field where she had reportedly gone to collect goats as rain started falling,” he added.
Schools in the Busoga sub-region are prone to lightning which has often resulted in the loss of lives, especially children.
In June 2011, four Senior Four students of Valley Hill Secondary School in Kaliro District were hospitalised after being struck by lightning.
Barely two days earlier, two pupils at Nawangoma Primary School in Jinja District, were killed by the thunderbolt.
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