By Omony Denis
At least 77 primary school pupils were struck by lightning in Oweko primary school, Ndhew sub-county in Nebbi district on Wednesday afternoon.
The pupils had taken shelter in a nearby structure around a football field from a heavy afternoon downpour when the lightning struck at around 2pm.
15 including a classroom teacher sustained serious injuries and were rushed to Nebbi General Hospital while the rest were handled from Oweko Health Center II.
The injured plus others were in Oweko primary school for a football and netball competition. The sports competition had attracted pupils from four primary schools including Oweko, Omoyo, Owilo and Anyango primary schools.
Robert Abak, the Resident district commissioner for Nebbi district, confirmed the report adding that all the victims are now out of danger.
Abak however blamed the school authority for not installing a lightening arrestor putting lives of the over 1,000 learners at risk.
Lightning arrestors are essential for protecting buildings and structures from lightning strikes by providing a low-resistance path for the lightning to follow, safely directing it to the ground thus make it very important particularly in schools.