Gen. Kainerugaba mourns 'multi-talented patriot' Cedric Babu

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Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has paid tribute to Cedric Babu Ndilima, describing him as a patriot, close friend, and “comrade in the struggle”.

In a message posted on X (formerly Twitter), Gen. Kainerugaba said he had joined the family of veteran politician Capt. Francis Babu to mourn the passing of his son, Cedric, who died in Nairobi on Saturday, May 31, 2025.

“I join the family of Capt. Francis Babu to mourn the passing of my brother, my close friend and comrade in the struggle, Cedric Babu, who passed away yesterday in Nairobi,” the General wrote.

Cedric Babu, a well-known Ugandan media personality, sports administrator and businessman, died at the age of 46 following a battle with severe heart failure.

He had been admitted to the Aga Khan University Hospital in Nairobi, where he was under intensive care.

Gen. Kainerugaba described Cedric as a gifted all-rounder who stood out for his passion, drive and courage.

“Cedric stood out amongst his peers as an individual who had a rich and wide spectrum of talents,” he wrote, noting that Cedric had excelled in sports, particularly tennis, where he had once represented Uganda as a Davis Cup player.

“Cedric was a businessman and was equally successful there at a young age. He was a nationalist and a patriot,” the General added.

“Where many children of Uganda's elite families eschew politics, Cedric had the courage to participate in the governance of his country.”

Cedric contested for the Kampala Central parliamentary seat under the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party in the 2021 elections. He won the party primaries but lost in the general election.

Gen. Kainerugaba said Cedric remained committed to public service, and it was for this reason that he appointed him Vice Chairman for Kampala on the Central Committee of the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), calling him “a great addition to the team”.

“Cedric was an optimist always thinking about tomorrow, a better tomorrow,” Gen Kainerugaba said.

“He is survived by a wife and three handsome boys who love sports like their father did.”

His message ended with a note of grief and gratitude: “We shall miss him immensely. May his soul rest in eternal peace.”

Cedric Babu had collapsed last month while attending a tennis tournament in Kigali, Rwanda, where he had accompanied his son, Cillian Asante Ndilima.

He was later airlifted to Nairobi and diagnosed with advanced heart failure.

Doctors recommended an emergency heart transplant, and his family launched an international fundraising campaign to raise £300,000 (approximately sh1.5 billion) for treatment in London.

In addition to his media career, Cedric produced the acclaimed Ugandan drama Beneath the Lies and once served as president of the Uganda Tennis Association.

His former employer, Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC), described him in a statement as “a valued member of the UBC family” who brought “insight and vibrance to our screens”.

The media and sports fraternity, along with family and friends, continue to mourn a man whose life cut across many fields but was anchored in patriotism and service.