By Western Focus Team
SHEEMA: Pupils, parents and staff at Rwengiri Primary School in Sheema District are in shock following a catastrophe that hit the school yesterday leaving two pupils dead.
The lightning that struck a classroom during a heavy downpour also left 15 pupils injured and in coma.
The police have identified the dead as Isabellah Kemigisha, a Primary Three pupil, and Benson Beinomugisha, in Primary One. They were all attending the afternoon lessons by the time the lightening hit during a heavy downpour.
The fifteen pupils who were rushed to Bushenyi Medical Centre (BIM) Hospital in Kabwohe town while in critical condition include; Turibamwe Alvin, Mpumwire Racheal, Ainomugisha Alicious, Mutaka Andrew, Owembabazi Vanisha, Ampiire Shanirah, Mutesi Rinah, and Mathias Twinomuhangi.
Others are; Akatukunda Blessing, Nuwamanya Sheldon, Kwikiriza Binaisa, Abaasa Seith, Akankwasa Blossom, Owokunda Poline,
According to sources, the lightning first hit an electric pole near the school before it escalated to the classrooms through electrical wiring.
The Rwengiri Primary School head teacher Bernards Bangirana described the incident as terrifying saying, “We heard pupils screaming and collapsing only to realize two were already dead.”
SP Apollo Tayebwa the Greater Bushenyi police acting spokesperson also described the incident that took the lives of innocent children as unfortunate.
Police warns
Tayebwa however said, “As we are still investigating this matter, we appeal to all those who invest in schools and those planning to construct to always consider installing lightening conductors to minimize on such incidents of lightening.”
Environmentalists have also warned schools to plant trees to be able to mitigate such effects of climate change.
Last year a similar incident happened in the same district in Kitagata Town Council where four children from the same family were struck dead by lightening. End.
