Local Governments in Bunyoro are considering allocating money to install lightning arrestors in schools in their districts. It follows the recent incidents of lightning in Hoima, Masindi and Kiryandongo.
The latest incident occurred at Runyanya Church of Uganda primary school in Kiryandongo on Tuesday, where 20 pupils were killed and close to 60 injured by lightning.
Edward Kiirya, the Kiryandongo District Education Officer agrees with the fact that all schools in the district have no lightening conductors. He says that the incident at Runyanya has sounded a wake up call to the district leadership to act immediately.
Kiirya says that despite the fact that the issue of installing lightning conductors in schools was not captured in their budget, they plan to spend shillings 30 million under the emergency fund to but the conductors.
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Fred Kakoraki, Hoima district Vice Chairperson says soon his office is to launch sensitization campaigns aimed at creating awareness on how to avoid thunder strikes.
Kakoraki says that they intend to use radios and other means to sensitize the community on basic preventive measures including the installation of lightening conductors on buildings and homes.
Lightning over the weekend struck a reverend in Hoima leaving him hospitalized.
In Masindi, Mekizedeck Kanaginagi Ateenyi, the Vice Chairperson and Secretary for education says procuring lightning conductors will be fixed into the district’s budget that is pending approval.
Several government aided schools in Hoima don’t have lightning conductors.
Ausi Mugisa, the Head teacher Bwikya Muslim primary school says unless government comes in, schools can not afford the gadgets.
Mugisa who doubles as Chairman Hoima Municipal Head teachers Association says the schools’ UPE fund allocations are insufficient to cater for the procurement of these gadgets.
In electronic shops in Hoima a set of lightning conductors is selling at between shilling 260,000 and 500,000 depending on the height of the building.
