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Oyam Schools Directed to Install Lightning Arresters

30 March 2026, 8:08 pm

The District Education Officer of Oyam David Adea during the Annual General Meeting at Loro Secondary School

By Eman Yona Oruk

The District Education Officer of Oyam, David Adea, has instructed all schools in the district to purchase and install lightning arresters on iron sheet roofs to safeguard learners and school property from lightning strikes. 

Adea issued the directive while addressing parents and stakeholders during the Annual General Meeting at Loro Secondary School in Loro Town Council. He expressed concern that many schools lack lightning arresters, noting that the absence of protection has led to painful losses of students. He observed that only one arrester was installed at Loro Secondary School and urged parents to coordinate with school administrations to ensure their purchase. 

Adea on Lightning Arresters

The LC3 Chairperson of Loro Sub‑county Robert Ekwaro,welcomed the initiative, emphasizing that lightning often strikes students, sometimes worsened by mobile phones carried by learners. He appealed to parents not to allow children to go to school with phones. 

The LC3 Chairperson of Loro Sub County Robert Ekwaro on Lightning.

Vicky Atim Oyite, a parent and LC5 councilor for Loro Sub‑county and Town Council, also supported the directive, saying it will save lives. She stressed the pain parents feel when sending children to school alive only to receive news of their death due to lightning. 

Vicky Atim Oyite, a parent and LC5 councilor for Loro Sub‑county and Town Council

Parents in the community echoed similar sentiments.  Alex Ogonya, a parent from Anoto Ocao village in Loro Sub‑county, said the directive is timely and necessary, adding that “no parent should continue to lose children to lightning when preventive measures exist.” Milly Ajok of Dago Itolo village in Aber Sub‑county agreed, noting that “the safety of learners must come first, and installing arresters will give parents peace of mind.” 

This directive follows a tragic incident last week when lightning struck Atapara Secondary School, killing Senior Six student Akona Isaac. Another strike at Global View Nursery and Primary School in Juma Parish, Kamdini Sub‑county, claimed the life of teacher Joseph Ebwanga, aged 26, and injured 18 pupils, mostly from Primary Four and Five.