By Denis Omiji
Kaberamaido, Uganda | Tragedy struck on Sunday evening in Aperkira Sub-county, Kaberamaido District, when lightning killed three people who had gathered for a village saving meeting inside St. Michael Awiri Chapel.
The deceased were identified as Ezekiel Obong, a 12-year-old pupil of Aperkira Primary School; Milda Aligo, aged 22; and Catherine Adiro, aged 72.
All were residents of Awirec Village, Abirabira Parish, in Aperkira Sub-county.
According to Daniel Esatu, the father of the deceased pupil, the tragic incident occurred at around 3:45 PM while members of the local savings group were meeting inside the chapel.
He said the lightning struck suddenly during the gathering, killing the three instantly.
Esatu said his family was still in shock over the loss of his son, who had gone to church for the savings meeting and never returned home.
He added that local authorities and police officers from Aperkira Police Station were immediately notified after the incident.
The bodies of Catherine Adiro and Milda Aligo were later taken to Kaberamaido Hospital for post-mortem examination, while the body of young Ezekiel Obong was handed over to the family for burial arrangements.
Esatu noted that no other people sustained injuries, as the lightning appeared to have directly struck only the three victims.
Attempts by the Dokolo Post to reach the LC1 Chairperson of Awirec Village and other local leaders for comment were unsuccessful, as their phone lines were unreachable by press time.