Nine people from Ngoma District, in Jarama Sector, were killed by lightning, while six others were injured when it struck them as they were returning from farming.
This happened on Sunday, January 4, 2026, in the evening hours.
The Governor of the Eastern Province, Rubingisa Pudence, said that those struck by lightning were in the Jarama marshland, where they had taken shelter in buildings used by guards at the landing site.
He said, “The lightning struck them while they had taken shelter in houses used by landing site guards and fishing facilities.”
Governor Rubingisa told RBA that they are working together with health authorities to ensure that the bodies of the deceased are taken to the mortuary at Kibungo Hospital, while security organs, district authorities, and Kibungo Hospital are taking care of the injured and those who were traumatized.
He added, “We know that lightning occurs and the areas it often strikes. We advise residents to install lightning conductors in places where many people gather, and for individuals to protect themselves by avoiding phone use during rainfall and by not sheltering under trees.”
The Rwanda National Police reports that in 2025, natural disasters killed 130 people, including those killed by lightning and other incidents caused by heavy rains.
The Rwanda Meteorology Agency (Meteo Rwanda) recently announced that rainfall ranging between 50 and 300 millimeters is expected in January 2026, which is slightly above the average rainfall normally recorded in that month.
Rainfall is expected to increase especially in the Western, Northern, and Southern provinces, the City of Kigali, and some parts of the Eastern Province.
