By Our Reporter
A tragic lightning strike has claimed the life of a 29-year-old man in Kapchorwa Municipality, prompting renewed calls for residents to observe safety precautions during thunderstorms.
The victim, identified as Barnabas Chemayek, a resident of Kapchella Cell in Tuban Ward, West Division, died instantly after lightning struck the bathroom structure where he was bathing at his home on Friday night at around 10:00 p.m.
According to Sipi Region Police spokesperson Fredmark Chesang, officers responded to a report of a sudden death and launched investigations into the incident.
“Our team visited the scene, documented the evidence, interviewed witnesses, and recovered exhibits,” Chesang said.
Preliminary findings indicate that lightning hit the small bathroom structure during a heavy rainstorm, fatally injuring Chemayek. Police recovered a burnt piece of clothing from the scene, while a post-incident examination of the body revealed burns consistent with a lightning strike.
The deceased’s mother, Anna Kamutya, described the loss as heartbreaking, saying her son had been carrying on with his normal evening routine before the storm began.
“He was healthy and had gone to bathe when it started raining. We never imagined lightning would strike and take his life so suddenly. Our family is devastated,” she said.
The fatal incident comes as seasonal rains continue to intensify across the Sebei sub-region, increasing the likelihood of thunderstorms. Authorities are reminding the public to take weather warnings seriously by avoiding weak or isolated structures, staying indoors during storms, and keeping away from open spaces and tall objects that could attract lightning.
Police investigations into the incident have been completed, and the death has been attributed to a lightning strike.
