By : Our News Reporter

KIRYANDONGO — Three children have been killed and three others injured after lightning struck a house in Kikunya Village, Mboira Sub-county, Kiryandongo District.

The incident occurred at about 2pm on Thursday when the six children, aged between five and seven years, reportedly sought shelter in the house after returning from school.

The deceased have been identified as Sam, Arnold and Abooki.

Their mother, Grace Nanyonga, said she was preparing food in the kitchen when she heard a loud bang and rushed to check on the children.

Nanyonga said she found three children crying, while the other three were lying on the ground. The children were rushed to a health facility, where three were pronounced dead, while the surviving three were admitted for treatment.

The LC1 Chairperson of Kikunya Village, Sunday Paul, confirmed the incident, saying the area has experienced other lightning-related incidents.

Paul said a man in a neighbouring village was also struck by lightning on Tuesday.

He has urged residents to take precautions during thunderstorms, including avoiding open spaces and seeking shelter in safe, enclosed buildings.

The Kiryandongo incident comes amid renewed concern over lightning-related deaths in different parts of Uganda.

On August 1, 2026, at about 4:50am, lightning struck a grass-thatched house in Nyanza Cell, Central Ward, Oleba Town Council, Maracha District, killing all six members of a family, including four children.

The lightning strike occurred during a heavy morning downpour and triggered a fire that engulfed the house while the family was asleep.

The Maracha tragedy has heightened concerns about the safety of families living in vulnerable housing structures during thunderstorms.

Lightning incidents have also previously affected schoolchildren in Maracha. In 2018, five pupils of Simbili Primary School were injured after lightning struck a house where they had sought shelter from heavy rain.

The incidents have renewed calls for communities to take lightning safety seriously, particularly during heavy rains and thunderstorms.

Residents are advised to avoid open spaces, isolated trees and unsafe structures during thunderstorms and instead seek shelter in safe, enclosed buildings.

The latest Kiryandongo tragedy has once again highlighted the need for increased public awareness and practical measures to protect children and communities from lightning-related deaths.