A 14-year-old boy died after succumbing to a lightning strike in Magwi County’s Kilio Boma in Eastern Equatoria State last Thursday morning when heavy rains accompanied by strong winds swept through the area.
According to local authorities, several children rushed inside a small shelter as the rain intensified. Moments later, lightning struck, hitting the deceased, only identified as Otim, on the head.
“The rain started in the morning, and the children ran inside for shelter. Suddenly, lightning struck one boy on the head and threw another child aside,” Odong Anthony, the Kilio Boma chief, told Radio Tamazuj. “The other children survived without serious injuries, but the boy died immediately. The boy’s parents were not at home. His uncle, an engineer, had gone to work, and his mother was in the garden when the incident happened.”
“In our tradition, when something like this happens, some people believe there may be a problem within the family or a curse because these beliefs still exist,” he added.
The chief urged residents to resolve family disagreements peacefully and to place their faith in God rather than superstition.
For her part, Elizabeth Ihari George, Secretary General of the Eastern Equatoria State Women Association, condoled with the bereaved family but rejected suggestions that the boy’s death was caused by witchcraft or supernatural forces.
She described the incident as a natural disaster rather than the work of any individual.
“I do not believe that any human being can cause something like this; thunderstorms are natural events. They are not the work of another person,” she stated. “When someone dies unexpectedly, people naturally look for reasons. Some begin to accuse others or speak about curses, but we should not do that. We should remember that God is the creator, and no human being has greater power than God.”
“In the past, people spoke about rainmakers, but today we see prolonged droughts despite those beliefs, and this reminds us that everything is in God’s hands,” Ihari added.
She urged the grieving family to remain strong during the difficult period and encouraged communities to respond to tragedy with compassion rather than accusations.
“All of us were created from the earth, and one day we shall return to it,” Ihari said. “None of us knows when our time will come. That is why we should always be prepared and live peacefully with one another.”
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