23-year-old footballer killed by lightning during Buwama tournament

[Da Dona]

A 23-year-old footballer, Andrew Makubuya, was killed by lightning on Saturday evening while participating in a football tournament involving Catholic sub-parishes in Buwama Town Council.

Makubuya was struck by lightning at a football pitch in Bbongole Ward, where teams representing different Catholic sub-parishes were competing in a tournament organised by Mitala Maria Parish.

Another participant was injured in the incident and rushed to Gombe Hospital for treatment.

Makubuya, a former student and captain of the football team at St. Balikuddembe SS, Mitala Maria, died at the scene. Police from Buwama Police Station visited the scene and took his body to Gombe Hospital mortuary for a postmortem examination.

Ronald Kalebu, who was coordinating the tournament, described the incident as a shock to the players and the wider Catholic community.​

“It is unbelievable that one of our colleagues has gone. This is sad,” he said.​

The tournament was part of activities leading up to Mitala Maria Parish's Youth Day celebrations, which had been scheduled for September 20. Following Makubuya's death, the celebrations and all related activities have been cancelled.

Rev. Fr. Nicholas Mukwaya, the youth chaplain of Mitala Maria Parish, confirmed the cancellation, saying the community had been plunged into mourning following the tragedy.

Buwama Town Council Mayor Abdul Rashid Nkinga urged residents to take precautions during thunderstorms and avoid exposing themselves to lightning, particularly during outdoor activities.

Daily Monitor UG​

 

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In english please

 

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View attachment 3669481
A 23-year-old footballer, Andrew Makubuya, was killed by lightning on Saturday evening while participating in a football tournament involving Catholic sub-parishes in Buwama Town Council.

Makubuya was struck by lightning at a football pitch in Bbongole Ward, where teams representing different Catholic sub-parishes were competing in a tournament organised by Mitala Maria Parish.

Another participant was injured in the incident and rushed to Gombe Hospital for treatment.

Makubuya, a former student and captain of the football team at St. Balikuddembe SS, Mitala Maria, died at the scene. Police from Buwama Police Station visited the scene and took his body to Gombe Hospital mortuary for a postmortem examination.

Ronald Kalebu, who was coordinating the tournament, described the incident as a shock to the players and the wider Catholic community.


The tournament was part of activities leading up to Mitala Maria Parish's Youth Day celebrations, which had been scheduled for September 20. Following Makubuya's death, the celebrations and all related activities have been cancelled.

Rev. Fr. Nicholas Mukwaya, the youth chaplain of Mitala Maria Parish, confirmed the cancellation, saying the community had been plunged into mourning following the tragedy.

Buwama Town Council Mayor Abdul Rashid Nkinga urged residents to take precautions during thunderstorms and avoid exposing themselves to lightning, particularly during outdoor activities.

Daily Monitor UG​

What attracts lightning is open environments, the height of objects in that space, and metal fixtures present on the field (such as metal goalposts or stadium lighting).

The Truth Behind the Incidents​

1. The DRC Incident (1998):

• What happened: During a match played in Kasai Province (DRC) between Bena Tshadi and Basanga, lightning struck the field. Eleven players from the visiting team (Bena Tshadi) were killed or severely injured, while the home team emerged unharmed.
• The cause: This was not caused by shoes. The difference in impact between the two teams was due to metal items worn or held, along with ground current (where the electric surge travels rapidly through saturated soil). The notion that it was caused by specific boots or sorcery was purely local rumor and superstition.

2. The Andrew Makubuya Incident (Uganda):

• What happened: Playing in an open space during a thunderstorm makes players on the pitch the tallest objects in that immediate area (highest points in an open field).
• The cause: During a storm, lightning seeks the shortest and easiest path to reach the ground. A player standing in the middle of an open field essentially acts as the nearest "lightning rod" for the discharge.

Why Football Pitches Pose a High Lightning Risk​

• Open Fields: Football pitches are vast open areas without surrounding tall buildings or trees to deflect lightning strikes.
• Wet Soil: Rainwater on the field serves as an excellent conductor for the electrical current the moment it hits the ground.
• Metal Goalposts: Most goalposts are made of metal, which easily conducts electrical current.
• Delayed Match Suspensions: Matches are often not stopped early enough when rain starts, leaving players exposed to danger.

Safety Protocol (The 30/30 Rule)​

If you hear thunder, international sports safety guidelines require the match to be stopped immediately and players to take shelter inside a fully enclosed building or vehicle. Remain indoors until 30 minutes have passed after the last rumble of thunder.

Source: AI

 

[Da Dona]

What attracts lightning is open environments, the height of objects in that space, and metal fixtures present on the field (such as metal goalposts or stadium lighting).

The Truth Behind the Incidents​

1. The DRC Incident (1998):

• What happened: During a match played in Kasai Province (DRC) between Bena Tshadi and Basanga, lightning struck the field. Eleven players from the visiting team (Bena Tshadi) were killed or severely injured, while the home team emerged unharmed.
• The cause: This was not caused by shoes. The difference in impact between the two teams was due to metal items worn or held, along with ground current (where the electric surge travels rapidly through saturated soil). The notion that it was caused by specific boots or sorcery was purely local rumor and superstition.

2. The Andrew Makubuya Incident (Uganda):

• What happened: Playing in an open space during a thunderstorm makes players on the pitch the tallest objects in that immediate area (highest points in an open field).
• The cause: During a storm, lightning seeks the shortest and easiest path to reach the ground. A player standing in the middle of an open field essentially acts as the nearest "lightning rod" for the discharge.

Why Football Pitches Pose a High Lightning Risk​

• Open Fields: Football pitches are vast open areas without surrounding tall buildings or trees to deflect lightning strikes.
• Wet Soil: Rainwater on the field serves as an excellent conductor for the electrical current the moment it hits the ground.
• Metal Goalposts: Most goalposts are made of metal, which easily conducts electrical current.
• Delayed Match Suspensions: Matches are often not stopped early enough when rain starts, leaving players exposed to danger.

Safety Protocol (The 30/30 Rule)​

If you hear thunder, international sports safety guidelines require the match to be stopped immediately and players to take shelter inside a fully enclosed building or vehicle. Remain indoors until 30 minutes have passed after the last rumble of thunder.

Source: AI

Thank you for this helpful information.