By URN

A woman was on Friday struck dead by lightning in Rubanda district.

Rhoda Orishaba, a resident of Kiriba village in Nshanjaare town council, Rubanda West County was struck at around 6:40 PM.  Caleb Tusingwiire, a resident and Amos Byaruhanga, speaker for Nshanjaare town council say that the incident happened when Orishaba was cultivating with other residents.

As they were digging, it started to rain, but in the process, lightning struck Orishaba, killing her instantly. They say that her child was rushed to Ndgeego Health Centre III but later referred to Kiizi Health Centre IV while in critical condition.

Mary Tumusiime, a mother-in-law to the deceased, says that the incident has left the family in shock.

Rubanda district and other districts in the entire Kigezi region are prone to lightning.

In December, Treasure Arinda, a 13-year-old son of Vincent Wednesday and a primary five pupil at Kacherere Primary School, and Elia Mwebesa, were struck dead by lightning while collecting firewood near their homes during a heavy downpour.

In September 2021, Stanley Sunday Owoyesiga alias Tissue,63, a head teacher of Golden Star High School, Ben Kwikiriza,16, a resident of Rwamuyora village in Muko sub-county and Bright Orikiriza, a resident of Karambo Village in Rubanda district were also struck dead by lightning.  In August of the same year, Vanesta Ayebare, 15, a pupil at Green Field Nursery and Primary School in Hamurwa town council, was also killed by lightning while sleeping.

The 2021 National Risk and Vulnerability Atlas of Uganda a booklet that locates areas that are prone to disasters in the country including the preparedness, response, and management strategies, listed South Western Uganda especially Kanungu and Rubanda district among districts prone to Landslides and flooding and lightning.