Buzaabalyawo was a Muganda of White Colobus Occidentalis (Ngeye) Clan. James’ father was SSebikejje Kabazzi Kalinda and his mother was Lwambuzabuggyo of the Grasshopper (Nsenene) Clan.

It was from Wamala his brother that Buuzaabalyawo was taken to King Muteesa’s Palace by Nalinnya Namukwaya one of his close relatives.

He became a Catholic mainly after proving the Celibacy of the Catholic missionaries and the behaviour of the Catholics, Joseph Mukasa Balikuddembe and Andrew Kaggwa in Particular. When King Muteesa I died, Buuzabalyawo left the palace, went and lived with Andrew Kaggwa there he took up Catholic instructions seriously.

When he had learnt enough, Kaggwa used to send him to palace and thus teach the Catholic religion to the prince Mwanga. Buuzaabalyawo picked up the skills and became one of Kaggwa’s able leaders of the King’s band.

He was baptized on 16^th November, 1885 and given the name James. Tuesday evening of 25^th of May 1886, when King Mwanga broke into rage torturing Denis Ssebuggwawo, he madly proceeded to Andrew Kaggwa’s and found Buuzabalyawo.

He pushed him over with his foot and ordered him to be arrested because he was a Christian. James was taken to Mengo with his fellow Christians and finally to Namugongo where he was burnt to death on Thursday noon 3^rd June, 1886 at the age of twenty six.

James is the patron saint of merchants and cooperatives