On Monday, January 8, 2024, Pastor Aloysius Bugingo, leader of House of Prayer Ministries International, made a triumphant return to his Makerere-based church in Kikoni, Kampala. The highly anticipated event, following a recent attack on the pastor, was marked by tight security, as armed forces were deployed throughout the premises.
The pastor, accompanied by his wife, Susan Bugingo, church elders, his parents, and the children of the late Cpl Richard Muhumuza, arrived at approximately 11 am. Thunderous cheers and ululations erupted from the crowd of followers who had gathered, enduring the sweltering heat to attend the service.
This marked Pastor Bugingo’s first appearance at the church since the shocking attack by unknown gunmen in Namungoona, Kampala, just a week earlier. The assailants claimed the life of his bodyguard, Cpl Richard Muhumuza, a member of the elite Special Forces Command.
Security measures were visibly heightened, with army personnel strategically placed around the church premises. As early as 10 am, the plastic chairs under multiple tents were occupied by faithful followers eagerly awaiting the arrival of their spiritual leader.
The atmosphere inside the church was tense and emotional. During the service, dedicated to the late Muhumuza, Pastor Bugingo, typically known for his loud and enthusiastic preaching, assumed a calm and soft-spoken demeanor. He expressed gratitude for his second chance at life and shed tears while remembering his fallen bodyguard.
Describing Muhumuza as a committed servant of God, Bugingo highlighted the deceased’s simplicity, patriotism, and care for others. The pastor, visibly moved, recounted Muhumuza’s selfless act of shielding him during the attack.
In a commitment to honor Muhumuza’s memory, Pastor Bugingo announced plans to commence construction of the long-awaited Pentagon Church later in the year. He also revealed that one of the main halls would be named after Muhumuza, prompting followers to contribute funds for the facility’s construction.
Amid assurances of security, Pastor Bugingo urged his followers to remain calm, entrusting their safety to the government. Quoting various Bible verses, he preached messages of peace, unity, forgiveness, and repentance to the congregation.
Additionally, Bugingo informed his followers that he would delegate other pastors to preside over lunch-hour services from Monday to Friday the following week, as he needed to focus on his ongoing treatment. Despite the gravity of the recent events, he expressed optimism about the effectiveness of his current medical regimen.
The police confirmed that Bugingo had already provided a statement regarding the Tuesday attack but withheld specific details. As the congregation left the church premises, the air was filled with a mixture of emotions, reflecting the resilience and solidarity of Pastor Bugingo’s followers.
