Pastor Aloysius Bugingo, the senior pastor of House of Prayer Ministries International, found himself in the crossfire of a shocking incident when an unknown assailant or assailants fired between 13 and 17 bullets at his vehicle. Tragically, his Special Forces Command bodyguard, Corporal Richard Muhumuza, lost his life in the attack that occurred at Namugoona in Rubaga Division, Kampala Capital City.
The aftermath of the assault unfolded as forensic experts swiftly took charge of the bullet-riddled vehicle at Mulago National Referral Hospital. The vehicle was later towed to police headquarters in Naguru for a more in-depth analysis. Corporal Muhumuza, critically injured in the shooting, succumbed to his injuries between 9 and 10 pm on Tuesday night, marking a devastating loss.
Despite the severity of the attack, Pastor Bugingo miraculously survived with only minor injuries. The motive behind this targeted assault remained shrouded in mystery as information about the perpetrators and their motives remained scarce.
The investigation, spearheaded by law enforcement, uncovered spent pistol cartridges at the crime scene. These cartridges, recovered by first responders and curious onlookers, are under scrutiny to determine if they match the bullets that claimed Corporal Muhumuza’s life. The scene’s contamination, as described by the police, raises challenges for obtaining conclusive forensic evidence.
Kampala Metropolitan Police deputy spokesman Luke Owoyesigyire stated that, as of now, no suspects have been apprehended. The police are diligently reviewing CCTV footage from nearby cameras, hoping to glean crucial insights into the murder of Corporal Muhumuza and the attempted murder of Pastor Bugingo.
Eyewitnesses recount that the attack occurred as Pastor Bugingo was driving his Toyota Prado with a personalized number plate reading “PRAIZ GOD.” The incident unfolded near Bwalakata Junction in Namungoona, characterized by potholes, darkness due to the lack of street lights, and limited proximity to nearby shops—circumstances that potentially facilitated the assailants’ escape.
A shop attendant, who later provided a statement to the police, reported hearing several loud sounds in quick succession. The witness initially mistook the noise for fireworks but realized the gravity of the situation upon hearing people shouting. The assailant, after firing the shots, reportedly fled on a waiting motorcycle.
Despite five other eyewitnesses providing statements to the police, the exact location of the incident lacked CCTV coverage. Pastor Bugingo, sharing his informal account, mentioned stopping to allow another car to pass before the attacker started shooting. He transported the injured Corporal Muhumuza to Mulago Hospital, where the latter was pronounced dead on arrival. Formal statements from Pastor Bugingo are pending, with the police awaiting his recovery from the shock.
The incident brings attention to previous claims by Pastor Bugingo regarding death threats he received in November of the previous year. Known for his sometimes controversial sermons, the pastor has faced criticism for provocative, politically charged statements, and his history includes a notorious act of setting a Bible on fire.
As the investigation unfolds, numerous unanswered questions linger. The circumstances surrounding Pastor Bugingo’s actions after the shooting, the motive of the assailants, the number of attackers, and the potential political or religious dimensions of the incident are among the pressing issues. Additionally, the delay in recording a formal statement from Pastor Bugingo and the time taken by the police to secure the crime scene contribute to the enigma surrounding this alarming event.
