Two men were killed by lightning in Kasese Municipality after a heavy storm struck Nyakatonzi Cell in Central Division, according to police.
The incident happened on Tuesday afternoon, September 23, as heavy rain and strong winds affected the area. Police said the two men were Jeremiah Baluku, who was in his 60s, and Isaac Kihara, who was in his 40s.
The victims were operating from separate makeshift shelters at a second-hand clothing business. When the rain intensified, they sought shelter together. A lightning strike then hit the area, killing both men.
Rwenzori East Regional Police spokesperson Elly Maate said the incident happened at around 3:30pm. He said Baluku worked as a night watchman at Kikade second-hand clothing stores, while Kihara worked as a dry cleaner at the same premises.
Residents described hearing a loud sound before discovering the two men unconscious. One eyewitness said the weather had become severe, with heavy rain and strong winds making it difficult for people to remain outside.
The bodies were taken to Kasese Municipal Health Centre III for postmortem examinations before being handed over to their families for burial.
The deaths have renewed concerns about safety during thunderstorms, particularly for people working or living in temporary structures. Police urged residents and institutions to take precautions whenever heavy storms approach.
Maate advised schools, hospitals, churches and other public institutions to install lightning conductors on their buildings. He also urged members of the public to seek safe shelter during storms instead of remaining in exposed or makeshift structures.
Local residents said Baluku had lived in the area for more than a decade. Former Nyakatonzi Cell chairperson Fred Bwambale said Baluku had been known to the community and had been working as a security guard at the stores.
The incident has caused concern among residents and members of the local business community, who described the two men as familiar and social members of the area.
Thunderstorms are a recurring weather hazard in parts of Uganda, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall. Lightning can strike people and structures suddenly, making preparedness and safe shelter important.
Experts and authorities generally advise people to move indoors when thunderstorms begin, avoid standing under isolated trees and stay away from exposed open areas. Buildings fitted with appropriate lightning protection systems can also reduce risks.
The Kasese incident demonstrates the danger faced by workers who spend long hours in temporary shelters. In this case, the two men were reportedly using makeshift structures while carrying out their daily work.
Police have urged residents to take warnings about severe weather seriously and to prioritise safe shelter during storms.
As the families prepare to bury the victims, the incident has left the Nyakatonzi community grieving. Local leaders have also encouraged residents to remain cautious as the rainy season continues.
Authorities say installing lightning protection systems in public facilities and ensuring people have access to safer shelters are important steps toward reducing deaths during severe storms.
The investigation and documentation of the incident will continue through the relevant authorities, while the community remembers the two men who lost their lives during the sudden storm.