Background
He was born, along with a twin brother, in 1864 in Kiwanda, Uganda.
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Apolo Kivebulaya
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He is sometimes referred to as the "apostle to the pygmies" for his work among the Bambuti people of the Ituri forest in eastern Congo. He was commemorated in the Anglican Calendar of Saints on May 30. When Waswa turned 13, H. M. Stanley, who had discovered David Livingstone in 1872, paid a visit to Mutesa"s court and persuaded the chief to begin "reading" in the Christian religion.
The chief was probably more impressed with Stanley"s guns than with his Bible, for Mutesa had already parted ways with the Arabs and now needed protection.
Stanley"s expedition opened the way for other missionaries too, notably Alexander MacKay, who arrived in 1878. Waswa credits MacKay with planting seeds of belief in his life.
He was given the name "Kivebulaya," meaning "from Europe," because he always wore a suit under his cassock.
Membership
"When I looked at the European," he wrote, "his eyes sparkled with kindness." Mackay organized a church, and members of the chief"s court began attending his classes.
