A lightning strike on a church in Uganda has killed at least 14 people and injured 34 on Saturday, police said. The incident occurred in the Palabek refugee camp in Lamwo district.
“The victims had gathered for prayers when the rain started around 5:00 p.m.,” police posted on X. “The lightning struck at 5:30 p.m.”
The police did not identify the nationalities of the victims. But the majority that are hosted in the camp are from South Sudan. Most of those fled a brutal civil war that broke out barely a few years after the independence of South Sudan in 2011.
The victims were majorly juveniles, including a nine-year-old girl, police have confirmed.
Fatal lightning strikes are common, especially in schools, in Uganda. “Many structures lack proper lightning conductors,” a local official explained.
Community members are in distress over what happened. “We are very saddened,” said a leader among the refugees. “Our thoughts are with the families who lost their loved ones.”
Government support is forthcoming. “We will support the families during this tragic time,” assured a spokesperson. The community mourns seeking safety from the storm.
