St. ANATOLI KIRIGGWAJJO

He was born at Kinyiira, Bubango, Buyaga in Bujuni Parish in 1860. His father is Siita but his mother’s name is unknown. He was named Karubagira. He grew up in chief Rugelwa’s enclosure at Nyakabango. During the Buganda raid of 1876, Karubagira was captured and brought to Buganda. Kisomose who took him as his slave, gave him the name Kiriggwajjo, saw his giftedness and wonderful virtues and took him to King Muteesa to serve in the palace. He was placed under Mukasa Balikuddembe. It is during his service in the place that he began learning catechism. He was baptized on 16 November 1885. Kiriggwajjo was a skilled hunter and a good herdsman. He used his talents whenever he had a chance to. He also served under King Mwang the inner palace as a page, and the King, who loved him, promoted him to a post of catering princesses. Anatoli found out that the post would endanger his noble virtue of chastity. He, thus, dared to decline the post though he was sure that it would result into the loss of his life. Although at this material time the King got annoyed, he did not order his death. But when the Christian persecution began, the King singled him out and said: “This Munyoro page refused the post I gave him, thus despising me”. Anatoli loved his faith, lived it happily, sought to understand it better and then teach it to others. Together with Charles Lwanga, they strengthen their brothers to be strong in witnessing to their faith until death. He was burnt to death on June 3, 1886. He is Patron of hunters and herdsmen.