Tanzania installs lightning protection systems in Geita schools

GEITA: THE Tanzanian government has completed the installation of lightning protection systems in 12 schools in Bukombe District, Geita Region, as part of efforts to protect citizens and students from lightning-related accidents.

The move follows a series of lightning incidents in the district, including a tragedy on January 27, 2025, in which seven students were killed and 82 others injured at Businda Secondary School.

Bukombe District Commissioner Pasikasi Muragili announced the development in an interview with journalists, stating that further improvements are ongoing ahead of the reopening of schools on January 13, 2026.

Muragili explained that to implement the plan, the government—through the district council—has adopted a strategy of setting aside small amounts of money each month to fund the installation of lightning protection systems.

He added that, in addition to schools, the government has already directed public and community institutions, including religious institutions, to take steps to install the systems on their premises.

According to Muragili, to ensure the targets are met, the Bukombe District government expects to begin inspections in all institutions after the deadline given, in order to assess implementation and prevent further lightning accidents.

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“All public and community institutions that host large numbers of people—we held meetings with them, agreed, and emphasized that they must do this. We set timelines, and now we are going to begin inspections,” he said.

Geita Region is among the areas that have frequently been affected by lightning accidents in recent years, particularly in schools.

In addition to the Businda Secondary School incident in Bukombe District, six pupils from EMMACO Vision Primary School in Geita District died on October 17, 2018, while 23 others were injured.

Another tragic incident occurred on October 18, 2019, when 39 pupils at Ihumilo Primary School in Geita District were injured after being struck by lightning while in their classroom.