Kiryandongo mourns lightning victims

Kiryandongo mourns lightning victims
Tuesday, 31st May, 2011
Runyanya Primary School pupils receiving treatment at Kiryandongo Hospital after they were struck by lightning By Pascal Kwesiga “She walked to school with her siblings yesterday but she has been returned home dead on a vehicle. I will miss you so much Doreen Amooti, you have left me in pain,” said Scovia Nalule, a mother of 14-year-old Doreen Katusabe, who was among the children struck dead by lightning in Kiryandongo on Tuesday. Nalule’s six other children were also struck by lightning at the same school but were not admitted to hospital because they ran away after regaining consciousness. In Kiroko village, a nine-year old Phiona Mbabazi, a young sister to Katusabe said: “I last saw her (Katusabe) at school during lunch time when she gave me her books and went for confirmation lessons at the church. She has left me with all her books.’” Such was the tone that characterised the eulogies as loud cries engulfed Kiryandongo district yesterday as families mourned the death of 19 pupils struck dead by lightning at Runyanya Primary School on Tuesday evening. The children and parents from 19 families in seven villages in Kiryandongo sub-county wailed uncontrollably as the bodies were delivered to their homes. Residents who lined up along the roads to catch a glimpse of the dead broke down into tears upon seeing the bodies wrapped in papyrus mats on police pick-up vehicles. At the home of Juma Wycliffe in Kiroko, who lost a nine-year-old, Justine Kirande, the children could not be contained when they started wailing upon seeing the dead body of their sister. Kiroko was the worst hit village, where six children died. Five of the dead were from Mahonge village, four were from Runyanya, while another four were from Bunyama, Masamba, Nyabiso and Nyakakende. A total of 70 injured children were admitted at Kiryandongo Hospital. 15 of them who had sustained severe complications were referred to Mulago Hospital on ambulances provided by the Office of the Prime Minister. The hospital’s medical superintendent, Jimmy Eyiga, said those admitted were responding well to treatment. “We don’t expect more deaths. We can manage the remaining cases,” he said. Speaking from her sick bed, a nine-year old, Doreen Akiring, said: “We were playing in class while it was raining when lightning struck. We were engulfed in a flame of fire that came from the sky and a few moments later, I saw dead bodies of my friends lying flat.” The district Police commander, Patrick Byaruhanga, identified the dead as Sarah Asaba 16, Esther Mutyembo 15, Doreen Katusabe 14, Lawrence Otim 16, Teddy Apio 16, Dorcus Ntereka 12, Lydia Katusime 13, Justine Kirande 9 and Oliver Asiimwe. Others are Nansamba Membling 8, Soferio Otila 14, Annet Nasimye 13, Dan Lagara 17, Jennifer Awulei 13, Salume Nabifo 10, Alex Byakutaga, Moses Aliganyira 15, Jennet Atim 15 and Evas Metuli 11. The district contributed sh100,000 to each family as burial expenses. The district medical officer, Edward Kirya, said the government-aided UPE School had been closed indefinitely. Runyanya Primary School had dilapidated buildings and a population of 827 pupils.