Lira family loses three children to lightning as storms ravage north
According to Lino Opori, the LC1 chairperson of Oponi village, the lightning struck at about 5pm while the children were seated inside an iron-roofed house as their mothers cooked in the kitchen.
Witnesses reported that the eldest girl sustained burns across her body, while the other two appeared as if they were asleep. (File photo)
By Hudson Apunyo
Journalists @New Vision
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Tragedy struck in Agweng Subcounty, Lira district, on Saturday, September 6, 2025, when lightning killed three children from the same family as they took shelter from the rain.
The victims were identified as Flavia Ejang, 16, a Primary Six pupil at Agak Primary School; her sister Doreen Adero, 14, in Primary Five at the same school; and their cousin Juliet Acio, 3, daughter of James Ayang.
Another child, Oliver Acwe, 13, also a pupil at Agak Primary School, survived after suffering an electric shock.
She was rushed to the hospital along with her mother, Janet Omara, and her aunt, Paska Ayang, who both collapsed following the incident.
According to Lino Opori, the LC1 chairperson of Oponi village, the lightning struck at about 5pm while the children were seated inside an iron-roofed house as their mothers cooked in the kitchen.
“The rain was drizzling normally, but suddenly there was lightning and thunder. Three children died instantly, two daughters of Tony Omara and a daughter of his elder brother,” Opori said.
Witnesses reported that the eldest girl sustained burns across her body, while the other two appeared as if they were asleep.
The account was corroborated by Bony Omara, the area councillor and vice chairperson of Lira district, and Martin Ayo, the LC2 chairperson of Teoburu Parish. Omara said he was relieved that those taken to the hospital had since recovered and been discharged.
Meanwhile, storms caused widespread destruction in Kole district. A hailstorm on Friday night flattened homes, destroyed crops, and uprooted trees in Bala Town Council.
The storm, which lasted from 8 pm to 11 pm, blew off roofs, damaged five latrines, destroyed two houses in Teoryang B cell, and ruined crops, including simsim, beans, sweet potatoes, and rice.
Peter Ocen, the MP for Kole South, described the damage as “extensive”, saying some houses were flattened and gardens destroyed.
“I have urged local leaders to collect data and send it to me so that I can present it in Parliament on Monday (tomorrow),” he said.
Elsewhere, ongoing heavy rains have also left a trail of destruction in Otuke and Alebtong districts, washing away bridges, destroying mud block houses and latrines, flooding roads and gardens, and leaving nearly ten people dead in recent weeks.