Tragic Lightning Strike Kills Two Children in Pader, Northern Uganda
A lightning strike has tragically claimed the lives of two children in Alipan East village, Pajule sub-county, Pader district, northern Uganda. The victims, 3-year-old Emily Amaro-rwot and 8-year-old Jacob Omara, were killed instantly when lightning struck their grass-thatched house during a heavy rainstorm on Saturday evening at approximately 6 p.m.
The children’s mother, Dorcus Adokorach, 25, was outside the house at the time of the strike. She told reporters that her children had sought refuge inside the house just moments before the lightning hit, sheltering from the downpour. The strike not only caused their deaths but also ignited a fire that consumed the family’s modest belongings, including four sacks of harvested maize, two sacks of beans, essential household clothing, cooking utensils, and Shs 500,000—money Adokorach had earned from selling produce.
A divorced mother, Adokorach now faces the overwhelming challenge of rebuilding her life and that of her surviving family members. The loss is made all the more devastating by the fact that, in addition to losing her children, she has lost nearly everything she had worked to gather.
Pajule sub-county councillor Charles Komakech described the incident as an unimaginable tragedy, and he voiced concerns over the increasing frequency of lightning strikes in the region. “Since 2021, we have lost more than three people and five animals to lightning,” Komakech said. He emphasized the importance of safeguarding against such natural hazards, urging local residents to avoid taking shelter under trees or in grass-thatched houses during storms.
Komakech also called for the installation of lightning arresters in both public places and homes to mitigate future risks. “We need better protection for our people from these natural dangers,” he stated.
In response to the incident, officials from Pader district confirmed that there is currently no financial assistance available from the local government to support the grieving family. However, they have appealed to well-wishers and humanitarian organizations to provide assistance to Adokorach during this difficult time.
District officials have also stressed the need for government agencies to prioritize lightning protection measures, particularly in northern Uganda, where the region has experienced a surge in severe weather conditions each rainy season. With lightning strikes becoming more common, they are calling for urgent action to protect vulnerable communities from further loss and devastation.
As the community mourns the tragic loss of two young lives, there is growing recognition that more must be done to address the dangers posed by severe weather events and to better equip communities with the tools and knowledge to protect themselves.
