Fourteen people tragically lost their lives, and 34 others sustained injuries when lightning struck a church in Uganda’s Lamwo district on Saturday, as confirmed by police.
The church, situated within the Palabek refugee camp, was hosting a prayer service.
According to Kituuma Rusoke, Uganda’s police spokesperson, the lightning strike happened around 5:30 p.m., shortly after the gathering began.
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"The incident occurred during a prayer service in Zone 8, Block 2 of Palabek settlement camp," Rusoke explained in a post on X. "The victims, who have yet to be identified, were in the midst of their service when rain started around 5:00 p.m., followed by the lightning strike at 5:30 p.m."
Lightning strikes are a recurring hazard in Uganda. In June, a similar incident at a school in Nebbi District injured 77 students.
They were in an open field participating in a sports competition when lightning hit. In another tragic event in August 2020, ten children lost their lives in Arua City after lightning struck a hut they were sheltering in during a storm.
These incidents underscore the dangers of lightning in Uganda, especially during sudden storms, which often catch people unaware in open or unprotected areas.
