Controversial evangelist, Pastor Aloysius Bugingo, on Sunday wowed his congregation when he showed them an award he won from the Public Opinions and the East Africa Book of Records.

The House of Prayer Ministries International preacher was recently voted as the most admired and influential pastor in Uganda. This, amidst the highly publicized controversy over his plans to separate with his wife Teddy Naluswa and taking on another woman, Susan Makula.

On October 14, 2019, Luzindana Adam Buyinza, a Team Leader at Public Opinions and Dr. Paul Bamutaaze, Director East Africa Book of Records, presented the award to Bugingo in his office at Salt Media offices in Lungunja.

Bamutaaze is a National coordinator of National Day of physical Fitness, held annually in Kololo and also the Promoter of Presidential Initiative on Health Eating and Lifestyles.

During Sunday service, amidst ululations, Bugingo read out the words which were inscribed on the award.

“Pastor Aloysius Bugingo awarded on 14th October, 2019 by the Public Opinions and the East Africa Book of records as the most admired and influential born again faith leader in Uganda. He is an inspiration to the underprivileged youths and women of Uganda. His pastoral work is a great contribution to the attainment of the Uganda Vision 2040 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals,” Pastor Bugingo read.

Pastor Bugingo told his congregation that the award he received was for them. He thanked them for loving God when the world is seeing. He also said that the church is full of women and youths.

Courtesy Photo

“Pastor Bugingo is a man of truth who has inspired people to work and encouraged them to open bank accounts not minding whether banks will benefit, but to promote a saving culture in youths,” said Bamutaaze.

Luzindana is a former member of the National Executive Council of the ruling NRM party, where he was a National Vice-Chairman NRM Youth League in Charge of Kampala region. He said: “Bugingo is an inspiration to the underprivileged youth and women of Uganda, his pastoral work is a greater contribution to attain Uganda's Vision 2040 and the United Nations Sustainable Development goals.”  

Youths and women came out to show the world how they had been changed through Pastor Bugingo's preaching. Evans Nabwire from Katwe and a church member thanked God for using Bugingo to preach to women.

“His words have inspired us women even to do things meant to be done by men, to work hard while we're still young. Indeed a fool at forty falls forever,” Nabwire said.

Kyalimpa Abby, also a church member said that the preaching of Pastor Bugingo has curbed down bad habits and poverty. He continued and said that he left alcohol, marijuana, stealing and clubbing.

Public Opinion International started in 2004 at Makerere University under the patronship of the late Brig Noble Mayombo. It was largely an advocacy agency for the welfare of poor university students.

Public Opinion has awarded many personalities and companies in the past. These include Kyadondo East legislator, Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine, who was awarded as the "Most admired Musician in Uganda". Companies such as World Bank, USAID, SBL International Holdings, Ugafode Microfinance, Bank of Baroda, Metoriere, Prime Consultants, Heifer International, World Vision, Plan International, PACE, Gold Star Insurance and Marie Stopes Uganda have been some of the beneficiaries.