Schools Beg Busoga Kingdom, Church of Jesus Christ for Lightning Arrestors

By Namutebi Sumayiya

As Busoga Kingdom in partnership with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints commissioned the installation of Lightning Arrestors in 70 selected schools found in Busoga and the surrounding areas, several educationists present pleaded for total inclusion of key learning institutions.

Presided over by the Kingdom Education Committee Chaurperson, Princess Ruth Nakaima, speaker after speaker pleaded for more of the commissioned project.

“Unless a lasting solution is found, turn up of learners will go to extinction due to lightning. It strikes indiscriminately and no one is secure. While some schools have been lucky to benefit, majority have been left out and as a way of avoiding an influx of pupils in those schools with Lightning Arrestors, I beg the Kyabazinga and his partners to rescue some of the missing schools”, Benon Walube, Chairperson of all Head Teachers in Busoga cried out as Joshua Waibi who is the District Inspector of Schools chipped in.

“As the education depaertment, we are a social service sector that needs a lot of support. While we are greatful to have received these arrestors, it’s my humble plea to the Kingdom and the Church to bring on board other new schools to also receive arrestors with resources allowing”.

Aminah Namutebi, Head Teacher at Nambaale Primary School revealed that unlike previous arrestors, the ones donated by the Kingdom and the Church are very durable and unique. “Previous installations were not long lasting. Looking at what we have received gives a lot of hope. The copper materials used are the best as regards lightning including the service manhole. It’s our prayers that let other schools be considered for this particular project”, she begged before Princess Nakaima committed that the Kingdom will continue engaging with the church to see to it that the stakeholders’ concerns are addressed whenever possible.

On his part, Godfrey Kitimbo, a Director of Communication in the church commended the good working relationship that exists between the two institutions.

Underscoring the importance of cooperation, Kitimbo argued that serving humanity is what their church stands for regardless of one’s religion, tribe, and race among others.

Earlier during the launch of the project, Kingdom Premier, Owek. Joseph Muvawala (Ph.D) noted that the future of Busoga’s pupils was at a great risk if arrestors were not installed ahead of time.

“As a Kingdom, we are aware about the need to install Lightning Arrestors in several of our learning institutions within Busoga and its neighbors. However, often time’s priorities tend to defer. But as a matter of urgency, we shall work towards addressing this priority”, a concerned Muvawala promised before being bombarded by several requests for more of the arrestors.

Many schools in Busoga and the surrounding areas are at a high risk of being hit by Lightning strikes due to deforestation as a result of rampant charcoal burning. The only remedy for the area schools is to install arrestors to safeguard learners, teachers and the surrounding communities.

With over 100 schools installed with Lightning Arrestors, the future of over 100,000 pupils is secured wherever they will be while at school. However, majority of the area schools remain unattended to due to lack of resources. On a good note, the Kingdom Premier also Executive Director National Planning Authority, Owek. Joseph Muvawala (Ph.D) revealed that the Kingdom is in advanced stages of rolling out another phase of installing Lightning Arrestors in those schools that are at higher risk of being hit by thunder.