Apollon Kivebulaya

A Ugandan educator and theologian who pioneered indigenous African Christian education, preserving cultural heritage through education systems.

Apollon Kivebulaya (1859–1944) was a visionary educator who shaped modern Ugandan education by blending Christianity with local traditions. As the first Ugandan Anglican bishop, he established schools like St. Mary's College that taught both Western curricula and African languages. His 1898 book Mukama ne Bumanyanya ('God and the People') was one of the first theological works written in Luganda, making Christianity accessible to rural populations. Kivebulaya negotiated with British colonial authorities to include African languages in school syllabuses, opposing the exclusive use of English. His advocacy led to the 1913 Education Ordinance which mandated bilingual education. Modern scholars like John Mbiti credit him with preserving Ugandan cultural identity through education. The Apollos Kivebulaya College in Jinja continues his legacy of holistic education. His 1930s correspondence with the Church Missionary Society remains archived at the British Library.