Ugandan security personnel at the scene where House of Prayers Ministries International Pastor Aloysius Bugingo and his bodyguard were shot at by unidentified gunmen at Bwalakata Junction on National Housing Road in Namungoona, Zone 2, Kasubi, Rubaga Division, Kampala on January 2. PHOTOS/FILE
2024 was packed with huge religious events nationally and internationally, including the resignation of the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Webley.
January: Pastor Bugingo is shot at, bodyguard dies
The year began with the unfortunate yet controversial shooting of House of Prayer Ministries International Pastor Aloysius Bugingo. The circumstances surrounding the shooting generated heated debate among social media users, with some making light of the incident.
On January 2, unknown gunmen shot at Pastor Bugingo and his bodyguard, Cpl Richard Muhumuza of the elite Special Forces Command (SFC), at Bwalakata Junction on National Housing Road in Namungoona, Zone 2, Kasubi, Rubaga Division, Kampala.
“At approximately 9pm, unidentified assailants opened fire on Pastor Bugingo’s vehicle before swiftly escaping the scene on a motorcycle. Despite sustaining injuries during the attack, Pastor Bugingo managed to transport Muhumuza to Mulago hospital. Regrettably, Muhumuza succumbed to the assault and was confirmed dead upon arrival at the hospital,” police said in a statement.
Pastor Aloysius Bugingo (centre) chats with police’s Apollo Kabandizi (2nd left) from the Directorate of Political Commissariat in Nakedde Village, Namayumba Sub-county in Wakiso District on January 4, 2024. PHOTO | MICHAEL KAKUMIRIZI
The narrative of how Pastor Bugingo escaped the shooting and managed to drive the deceased to the hospital became a subject of debate. One of his employees said he told them that when the shooter started firing, he reportedly heard a voice commanding him to duck below the steering wheel, which he did instantly.
The employee added that it was a spiritual voice that helped him dodge the raining bullets.
The story caused heated discussions on social media as some users doubted that the shooter could have missed at such close range. Others questioned whether Pastor Bugingo even had the wound on his back as alleged, while some wondered why he drove straight to the hospital instead of the police.
Controversy deepened when it was revealed that Muhumuza, whom Pastor Bugingo had told the media was a church elder, was actually an SFC officer deployed to guard him. To date, police have not arrested anyone in connection with the shooting.
September: Uganda Martyrs relics returned to Uganda
On September 9, the relics of two Uganda Martyrs, Karoli Lwanga and Matthias Mulumba, were returned to Uganda from Rome, Italy. They were received by Archbishop of Kampala Paul Ssemogerere and other government officials.
Priests carry some relics of Ugandan Martyr St Charles Lwanga in the procession during the Martyrs Day celebrations at the Catholic Shrine in Namugongo in 2022. PHOTO/COURTESY OF UGANDAN CATHOLICS ONLINE
The relics were later publicly displayed at Uganda Martyrs University to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Uganda Martyrs.
A relic is a tangible object directly linked to a saint or a martyr such as a fragment of a saint’s body, an item used by the saint during their life, or an object that came into control with the saint's body.
October: Appearance of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Thousands of Catholic believers flocked Rwensa Hill in Nyangahya Sub-county, Masindi District, after reports of an apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Those who claimed to see the apparition say Mother Mary called for repentance, prayers for the nation, and urged cohabiting couples to sanctify their unions through Holy Matrimony.
Fr Patrick Museveni, the Hoima Diocese communications director, said no clerics had confirmed the incident.
In the same month, in Gayaza, Wakiso District, another claim arose about the Virgin Mary appearing on a window glass during a rosary prayer gathering, drawing many believers to the site.
October: 10 family members die in a fight over religion
On October 29 in Kagadi District, two men, Obedi Baguma (33) and David Muyurambe (36), hacked their parents, wives, and children to death after they refused to join their newly established faith. The men had formed this faith after breaking away from the Seventh-Day Adventist Church. Lacking followers, they pressured their family members to convert, leading to a violent altercation that claimed about 10 lives. The duo was later killed while attempting to attack security forces. Many others, including neighbours, who responded to the commotion, sustained severe injuries and were hospitalised.
October: Pastor Kayanja in court
Rubaga Miracle Centre Cathedral's Pastor Robert Kayanja in the dock at Mwanga II Court in Mengo on October 18, 2024. PHOTO | ABUBAKER LUBOWA
Pr Pastor Robert Kayanja of Rubaga Miracle Centre appeared in court to testify in a sodomy case brought against him by nine men. He told the court that the group, allegedly part of the “Kifeesi” gang, trespassed on church property and later made false claims to the police that he had sodomised them.
Pastor Kayanja said he first encountered the group during the church’s 2017 revival crusade, “77 Days of Grace”, where he encouraged young people to abandon their past lifestyles.
The church welcomed the group, which also helped identify problematic individuals within the congregation.
The court is yet to issue a verdict but Pastor Kayanja wants strict punishment for his accusers.
November: Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Webley resigns
Justin Welb
On November 12, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby resigned following a Church abuse scandal. He admitted failing to ensure a proper investigation into decades-old allegations of child abuse by a volunteer at Christian summer camps.
The Archbishop of Canterbury is the senior bishop and a principal leader of the Church of England.
“Having sought the gracious permission of His Majesty the King, I have decided to resign as Archbishop of Canterbury,” Mr Welby said in a statement.
Church of Uganda Archbishop Stephen Kaziimba welcomed the resignation.
November: New All Saints Cathedral Nakasero
On November 1, President Museveni presided over the grand opening of the new All Saints Cathedral in Nakasero, Kampala. He also contributed Shs100 million and pledged Shs1 billion in non-cash support towards the completion of the remaining works at the Cathedral.
“I want to thank and congratulate the building committee and the chairpersons who have brought this magnificent cathedral to completion,” Mr Museveni said.
The President urged Anglicans to lead exemplary lives and called on Christians to honour their bodies as temples of the Lord, avoiding vices such as alcohol, obesity, and sexual immorality.
Construction of the 5,000-seater cathedral started in 2009 and the entire project will, according to the church website, be valued at Shs26.158b upon full completion.
Mufti Ismail Ibn Musa Menk in Uganda
During his visit, he encouraged Ugandans to love and speak well about their country.
“People most times mention only the bad things about Uganda and do you know why? They want to justify why they are not in Uganda...If you see someone in England, Dubai who is Ugandan and says it’s problematic. He is missing the country.
Uganda’s weather is better than elsewhere in the world. It’s a pearl of Africa and you should utilise it,”he said.
Mufti Menk urged the Muslims to love Allah more than anything else, noting that you can only succeed if you love the creator.
June: Watoto church celebrates 40 years of “awesome god”
On June 20, Watoto - formerly Kampala Pentecostal Church (KPC), celebrated 40 years of existence in Uganda. Thousands of Christians flocked Kololo Ceremonial Grounds to mark the celebrations, which were held under the theme “Awesome God”. The church was founded by Pastor Marilyn and her husband Gary Skinner in 1984. They had been sent by Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada, the largest evangelical church in Canada, to establish an English-speaking church in Kampala.
First Lady Janet Museveni was the chief guest at the event and commended Watoto Church leaders for spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, reaching out to orphans, widows and the underprivileged.
She also applauded the church for empowering more than 6,500 vulnerable women with vocational and entrepreneurship skills, providing them with startup capital and instilling in them Godly values.
“By improving the lives of women, you have indirectly bettered the lives of countless children,” Ms Museveni said.
Earlier in February 2023, the Skinners retired and handed over leadership of the church to pastors Julius and Vernita Rwotlonyo.
“So, it is with great joy that I stand before you to say, I have run the race, I have finished my work,” an emotional pastor Skinner said amid cheers from the Watoto staff who had gathered to witness the
moment.
Pastor Skinner also launched his book titled Where Faith Lit the Way, reflecting on his journey in the ministry.
