Pastor Aloysius Bugingo who leads House of Prayer Ministries International (HPMI) defied presidential directives by refusing his followers from getting vaccinated for COVID-19 during the Sunday services.
Last Wednesday, President Yoweri Museveni during the nation address on the COVID-19 stituation reopened places of worship which were closed during the second COVID-19 lockdown in June, 2021.
He Museveni said places of worship were now free to open under limited number of worshippers of not more than 200 provided the church/mosque can ensure physical distancing of 2 metres and all standard operating procedures.
“There must be strict adherence to all SOPs at all times ie handwashing/use of alcohol based sanitisers, temperature monitoring and consistent wearing of face masks by all congregants including the preachers and choir,” the President said.
He also informed the public to get vaccinated such that the country can be fully opened from covid-19 restrictions by December.
He also said that 4.8 million priority population including teachers should first get vaccinated before school are reopened.
But over the weekend, Pastor Bugingo told his followers that he does not believe in people getting vaccinated, especially the born-again Christians which contradicts with the government vaccination program and presidential directives on Covid-19 situation.
However, the state Minister of State for Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs –Kyofatogabye Kabuye has warned him.
During news interview with CBS FM yesterday, the Minister disclosed that he was very disappointed with some religious leaders like Bugingo who have decided to go against the presidential directives on COVID-19 .
“Yesterday, we tried to monitor the operations of places of worship however we were disappointed that some churches did not do as they were ordered to do although most of them tried to abide by the law. But Pr. Bugingo of all people disappointed me for telling his people not to go for vaccinations yet the presidential directives were very clear directing them to encourage their people to go for Covid-19 vaccination,”Kyofatogabye said.
According to the minister, they are going to hold a meeting to find ways on how to deal with errant religious leaders like Bugingo.