Lightning strike kills two sugarcane loaders in Jinja

What the report says

Two casual labourers were killed by lightning at the Namagera Central sugarcane weighbridge in Jinja district, according to The Observer. The victims were identified as Abdul Muwereza, 34, and Hassan Mubiru, 35, both of whom worked there as loaders.

The report said the men had been sheltering under a jackfruit tree during a rainstorm when lightning struck. A fellow loader, Aloysious Wakabi, said about 15 workers had taken cover under the tree, and some were later called back to unload sugarcane from a truck. After a loud blast, workers noticed that four colleagues were missing and found Muwereza and Mubiru near the tree.

Scovia Mirembe, a cleaner at the weighbridge, said the two were taken to Buwenge General Hospital but were pronounced dead on arrival. Their bodies were later moved to Jinja Regional Referral Hospital mortuary for postmortem examinations before being released to their families. Mirembe also said the incident highlighted the absence of a designated shelter at the site, leaving workers to rely on trees during rainfall.

Jinja District LC V chairperson Moses Batwala urged residents to follow government weather safety advice during thunderstorms and avoid sheltering under trees, which can attract lightning. The case underscores ongoing concerns about workplace safety and storm preparedness at outdoor labour sites.