Isingoma, Yafesi

[BUNYORO]

Yafesi Isingoma was born at Kikinda about five miles from Hoima. When young he was taken from his home by the barusura to be a servant to them, was captured by the Batoro on a raid, and brought up in Kasagama’s kikaale. Here he received Christian instruction and was baptized. In 1901 he returned to Bunyoro as a teacher as he wished to return to his own country. He was the first Christian teacher at Kibingo where the work was difficult as the people did not understand what “reading” was all about. At this time he was also reunited with his own family and was able to influence many of them to become Christians. After working for a few years he studied for his first letter under the Rev. A. Lloyd at Hoima in 1908, and did his second letter under the Rev. A. B. Fisher in 1911 and 1912. Like most Anglican teachers he was posted to one place after another, but several times his postings took him to Nyamirima, the headquarters of Jemusi Miti the Muganda saza chief. When his health failed it was to Nyamirima that he again returned to teach Miti’s children. When he retired he persuaded his son to buy land near the church at Kakindo. His first wife, Rebeka died in 1936, and he married again, Eseri Kaburaho, who outlived him by one year. Throughout his life he was a strong supporter of the church and his home was known as a happy and well-ordered Christian household.

Louise Pirouet**

Notes(short form; see List of Sources for complete citations):

Based upon the account given by Aberi Kabuliiteka his son.

This biography, written by Louise Pirouet, was included in “Appendix A: Biographical Notes,” on page 392 of “The Expansion of the Church of Uganda (N.A.C.) from Buganda into Northern and Western Uganda between 1891 and 1914, with Special Reference to the work of African Teachers and Evangelists” (PhD Thesis: University of East Africa, 1968). Pirouet published this thesis as Black Evangelists (London: Rex Collings, 1978). However, Black Evangelists does not reproduce the detailed biographies, complete with references to sources, found in Appendix A of the thesis. Print copies are available at Africana Section, Makerere University Library (U 02 P57); The Centre for Christianity Worldwide, Cambridge; and a microfilm copy at the School of Oriental Studies, London. [information from Angus Crichton]