By Joshua Olomo
Kwania, Uganda | With Uganda’s second rainy season setting in, health authorities, education leaders and safety experts have intensified public awareness campaigns, urging communities to take precautionary measures against lightning strikes to prevent injuries and deaths.
Although Kwania and Apac districts have not recorded any rain- or lightning-related deaths or injuries for more than a decade, district leaders say residents should not lower their guard as thunderstorms become more frequent.
Kwania District Health Officer Dr. David Okino said the district had gone for more than 10 years without experiencing injuries or deaths related to rain and lightning, attributing the achievement to continued public sensitisation and vigilance. He urged residents to continue observing safety measures, noting that lightning strikes can occur unexpectedly.
In Apac Municipality, schools are strengthening disaster preparedness following a recent workshop organised for local leaders on emergency response and public safety.
St. Francisca Girls Secondary School headteacher Christine Adongo said the training brought together leaders from different sectors and equipped them with knowledge that would help schools educate learners on how to remain safe during heavy rains and thunderstorms.
Apac Secondary School deputy headteacher Johnson Okwir said most of the school’s classroom blocks were constructed many years ago before lightning arresters became a standard requirement in public infrastructure. He explained that the school had already included the installation of lightning arresters in its ongoing development work plan, but implementation had been delayed by inadequate financial contributions from parents. He expressed optimism that once resources became available, the school would procure and install the arresters to enhance the safety of learners and staff.
Safety experts have also called on institutions and homeowners to prioritise investment in lightning protection systems.
Low Price Solar Solution Managing Director James Opio said the company had installed more than 20 lightning arresters in homes and public institutions across the Lango sub-region. He noted that installation costs start from Shs1.5 million and observed that many leaders still perceive the equipment as expensive despite its importance in protecting lives and property. He emphasised that investing in lightning arresters is worthwhile because they significantly reduce the risk of injuries and deaths during thunderstorms.
Students of St. Francisca Girls Secondary School welcomed the installation of lightning arresters on the school’s dormitory and classroom block, saying the development had improved their safety during the rainy season. They appealed to administrators of other schools to emulate the initiative by prioritising the installation of lightning protection systems to safeguard learners and staff.