House of Prayer Ministries International (HPMI) leader, Pastor Aloysius Bugingo, has terminated the services of the head of his security team, Mr. Simon Peter Watch Kaswabuli, one week after an alleged assassination attempt. The attack, which occurred on January 2, led to the death of Pastor Bugingo’s bodyguard, Cpl Richard Muhumuza.
In a letter dated January 5 and addressed to the director of ECCOZ Security Company, Mr. Bugingo stated that the Uganda Police had taken over his security affairs in the aftermath of the attack. Mr. Kaswabuli, who also serves as the deputy Resident City Commissioner (RCC) of Mbarara District, was relieved of his duties as the head of security at HPMI due to the need for a permanent coordinator to liaise with the police.
The letter expressed regret at terminating the contractual relationship with ECCOZ Security Company, emphasizing the precedence of services provided by the Uganda Police Force. It further explained the necessity of appointing a full-time head of security at HPMI for effective coordination with the police, considering Mr. Kaswabuli’s other duties.
The termination letter promised to settle any outstanding financial or other obligations with Mr. Kaswabuli. It comes after Pastor Bugingo reportedly survived an ambush on his vehicle at Bwalakata Junction, off National Housing Road in Kasubi, Rubaga Division, with his bodyguard killed in the attack.
In the letter, Pastor Bugingo informed Mr. Kaswabuli that he sought security protection from the police, stating that maintaining services from both the police and private security firms was not feasible for easy coordination.
The termination letter was copied to various authorities, including the Inspector General of Police, Director General of Internal Security Organisation, Chief of Military Intelligence, and others. Pastor Bugingo also wrote to the Inspector General of Police on January 4, seeking sustained police protection for HPMI offices and Salt Media head office.
During a prayer service at HPMI last Sunday, Col Fred Mwesigye, the commander of the army’s operations in Kampala Metropolitan Area, announced that the army had taken over security at the church, Pastor Bugingo’s residence, and Salt TV offices in Rubaga.
Efforts to get a comment from Mr. Kaswabuli were unsuccessful, as his known phone numbers were switched off.
