Teacher Killed, 18 Pupils Injured as Lightning Strikes School in Northern Uganda

A tragic lightning strike has claimed the life of a young teacher and left 18 pupils injured at a primary school in Oyam District, northern Uganda, plunging the local community into grief and renewed calls for improved safety measures in schools.

The incident occurred at Global View Nursery and Primary School in Juma Parish, Kamdini Sub-county, during an afternoon thunderstorm. According to local authorities and eyewitnesses, the lightning bolt struck while classes were in session, triggering panic among pupils and staff as classrooms were thrown into chaos.

The teacher, Joseph Ebwanga, aged 26, was conducting a lesson with his pupils when the lightning struck the classroom. He was pronounced dead shortly after the incident, making the tragedy not only a loss for the school but also for a community that had only recently welcomed him as a new member of the teaching staff.

Eighteen pupils were injured in the incident, some suffering shock and physical injuries as a result of the strike and the panic that followed. They were rushed to Dicunyi Health Centre III for emergency treatment, while five pupils in critical condition were later transferred to St John Pope XXIII Hospital in Aber Sub-county for specialised medical care.

Witnesses described scenes of fear and confusion as pupils ran from classrooms in terror, while teachers and community members attempted to assist the injured. Local village leader Moses Onyanga said both Grade Four and Grade Five classrooms were affected by the strike, noting that the sudden disaster left the entire school community traumatised.

Parents and residents expressed deep sorrow over the death of the young teacher, describing him as dedicated, passionate, and committed to his profession. Many noted that Mr. Ebwanga had only recently joined the school and had already built strong relationships with pupils and colleagues.

“This is a painful loss for our community,” one parent said. “We have lost a teacher who was trying to build a future for our children.”

The tragedy has once again drawn national attention to the dangers posed by lightning strikes in Uganda, particularly in rural areas during the rainy season. Uganda is widely regarded as a lightning hotspot, with frequent thunderstorms causing deaths and injuries every year in schools, homes, and open spaces.

Safety experts and education advocates have long warned about the vulnerability of schools to lightning strikes, especially those without lightning arrestors, proper grounding systems, or reinforced infrastructure. Many rural schools operate in buildings that offer little protection against extreme weather conditions, increasing the risk to both learners and teachers.

Following the incident, community leaders and civil society groups renewed calls for the government to accelerate the installation of lightning protection systems in schools across the country. They argue that preventable tragedies continue to occur due to weak infrastructure and inadequate investment in disaster preparedness.

Local police from Kamdini Police Station confirmed the incident and said investigations were underway to document the circumstances surrounding the lightning strike. Authorities have also indicated that official reports will guide future safety interventions in the area.

The Ministry of Education and Sports has previously acknowledged the threat posed by lightning to school communities and pledged to expand safety infrastructure following similar incidents in previous years. However, implementation has been slow, particularly in remote and under-resourced districts.

For families in Oyam District, the tragedy is not only a natural disaster but a painful reminder of the everyday risks faced by children and teachers in poorly protected learning environments. Many residents are now calling for urgent action to ensure schools are properly equipped to protect lives.

As the community mourns the loss of a teacher and prays for the recovery of the injured pupils, the incident has sparked renewed debate about school safety, disaster preparedness, and government responsibility in protecting learners across Uganda.

For now, Global View Nursery and Primary School remains a place of sorrow, as grieving pupils, parents, and staff struggle to come to terms with a tragedy that has forever changed their community.

Source: Thepressradio.com