```solidity
// SPDX-License-Identifier: MIT
pragma solidity ^0.8.0;

contract MessageStorage {
    string private currentMessage;
    address public owner;
    uint256 public updateCount;

    // Events
    event MessageUpdated(string newMessage, address updater, uint256 timestamp);

    // Modifier to restrict access to owner only
    modifier onlyOwner() {
        require(msg.sender == owner, "Only contract owner can perform this action");
        _;
    }

    constructor(string memory initialMessage) {
        owner = msg.sender;
        currentMessage = initialMessage;
        updateCount = 1; // Initial message is considered first update
    }

    // Function to update the message (only owner)
    function updateMessage(string memory newMessage) public onlyOwner {
        currentMessage = newMessage;
        updateCount++;
        emit MessageUpdated(newMessage, msg.sender, block.timestamp);
    }

    // Function to read the current message (public)
    function getMessage() public view returns (string memory) {
        return currentMessage;
    }

    // Function to get the number of updates (public)
    function getUpdateCount() public view returns (uint256) {
        return updateCount;
    }
}
```