Saint Kizito

Saint Kizito was the youngest among the Martyrs of Uganda, who sacrificed their lives for their faith in 1886. Born in 1872 in the village of Waluleta, central Uganda, Kizito was chosen to serve as a royal page in the court of King Mwanga II of Buganda.

The King, known for his hostility towards Christianity, made inappropriate advances towards the boys in his court and demanded that Christian converts renounce their faith or face execution. Despite these threats, Kizito became a devoted Christian and requested baptism. On 25 May 1886, King Mwanga interrogated his court members to determine their willingness to abandon Christianity. The royal pages affirmed their commitment to their faith, leading the King to sentence them to death.

Kizito was subsequently baptised by Saint Charles Lwanga, a Catholic convert responsible for the royal pages, who endeavoured to protect them from the King's advances. Kizito, along with 12 other Catholic men and boys (including Charles Lwanga) and nine Anglicans, was executed by burning.

Together with the other Ugandan martyrs, Kizito was beatified by Pope Benedict XV in 1920 and canonized by Pope Paul VI in 1964. His feast day is observed on 3 June.