Lightning Strikes Kill Student in Oyam District

26 March 2026, 8:27 am

By Eman yonah oruk

A tragic lightning strike yesterday evening claimed the life of Akona Ivan, a Senior Six student at Atapara Secondary School.

Speaking to our reporter, Geoffrey Osendro, the new headteacher of Atapara SS, confirmed the incident occurred at around 7:00 pm shortly after the students had their evening meal. Ivan was preparing to attend a candidate meeting with teachers when the lightning struck. He was rushed to Atapara Hospital but was pronounced dead upon arrival.

Local business operator Evelin Akello, a resident of Atapara Trading Centre, also confirmed the incident. She explained that she learned of the tragedy when students came to her shop to buy a blanket to cover the body of their colleague.

This comes just weeks after another lightning strike hit Global View Nursery and Primary School in Juma Parish, Kamdini Sub‑county, on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. That incident left a 26‑year‑old teacher, Joseph Ebwanga, dead and injured 18 pupils, mostly from Primary Four and Five classes.