Profile Of Anglican Martyr Yusuf Rugarama
Born in Ankole Kingdom, in the western part of Uganda, Yusuf Rugarama belonged to the Bahima tribe, among the cattle grazing clans of the kingdom. He had earlier been baptized under the Protestant church.
It is believed that he was taken as a prisoner of war around 1873 when Buganda attacked and defeated the Ankole. However, other sources believe that he could have gotten lost while grazing cattle and got picked up from the bush. He was believed to be around 11 or 12 years, a year younger than Kizito (Omuto) who is believed to have been either 13 or 14, a page at the palace of the King of Buganda too.
Yusuf served as a page to Kabaka (King) Muteesa I and upon the latter’s death, he alongside five other pages was given as a gift to the church, The Church Missionary Society, under the guidance and leadership of Alexander Mackay.
According to Black Martyrs by Fr. Thoonen, Yusuf is described as a fine Muhima orphan boy. Alexander had them trained in the world and they also learnt carpentry and brickmaking. When the persecution started, Alexander had built a cave in Nateete where the Christians could hide.
On the morning of 30th January 1885, Rugarama was among the five boys who were escorting Mackay and Reverand Ashe to the lake. The missioners were going to Ssese islands, south of Buganda, for a retreat since Mwanga had threatened to kill all the missionaries in his kingdom.
The boys intended to see their master off and return to the mission; however, their party was intercepted by soldiers led by Sabbadu, the captain of the guard. Rugarama and his friends were taken to the capital and the next day, on 31st January 1885, together with his friends and they were executed.
Rugarama was accused of being a Christian and attempting to escape with the missionaries. Like Kaddu, his arms were first cut off before he was tied and burnt slowly in a carefully lit fire. He had kept begging to be thrown into the fire without being cut but his pleas were not heard. A shrine has been erected in Busega in memory of the first Christian martyrs.
