Kampala, Uganda | By Michael Wandati | Pastor Aloysius Bugingo from the House of Prayer Ministries became emotional as he shared with mourners the final moments he spent with his bodyguard Richard Muhumuza just before the tragic shooting occurred.
“I am alive because of Richard. I could be dead by now but he jumped on me. The last I heard was him jumping on me as bullets were fired on the car and what I remember was taking him to hospital for treatment but was told after 30 minutes that is dead,” Ps. Bugingo said on Sunday 7, January 2024 during prayers at his church in Makerere Kikoni.
In a somber recounting to believers, Bugingo shared the poignant moment when his bodyguard, Corporal Richard Muhumuza, fulfilled a promise made over a decade ago.
Cpl Muhumuza, a UPDF soldier with the Special Forces Command, tragically lost his life during the attempted assassination on Bugingo near Bwalakata Junction along National Housing Road in Zone 2, Kasubi Rubaga Division, Kampala.
Bugingo expressed that the dedicated bodyguard played a crucial role in placing his pulpit in the church before each preaching session.
“I will not ashame you Richard,” he said before he broke down in tears for more than two minute.
“Richard has been a man of his word, genius, patriotic, serving God and his country to the last minute. Richard made me to believe that we are not the ones who makes families but families are made through mutual friendship and he chose me to be his brother and his family and mine have been staying together in Namayumba.”
Bugingo recounted that Muhumuza had foretold his destiny a decade ago, predicting that he would lose his life while dutifully protecting him—a prophecy that tragically unfolded.
In a departure from his usual confrontational style towards critics, Bugingo delivered a notably composed sermon, urging believers to remain steadfast amidst challenging times while emphasizing resilience in the face of provocations from fellow Ugandans.
“We are in a trying moment and at this time and the question is, will the followers of House of Prayer ministries pass through this? I urge you Christians, let’s forgive those who have attacked us.”
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He promised to reveal the bullet wounds at an appropriate moment.
Bugingo declared an indefinite suspension of the 13th church anniversary in honor of his fallen bodyguard.
The ongoing fundraising for a new church is temporarily halted, but Bugingo assured believers that construction will commence this year.
During the service, Col Fred Mwesigye, the UPDF commandant for greater Kampala, cautioned Ugandans about the misuse of social media.
“Be calm because we have beefed up security at church and other offices of Bujjingo but leave everything to security to do their work and stay in your lane,” Col Mwesigye said.
