Cedric Babu family seeks sh1.5b for heart transplant

The family of Cedric Babu Ndilima, a media personality and sports administrator, has appealed for help from the public to financially support him.

The call comes after he was admitted to a Kenyan hospital's intensive care unit suffering from severe heart failure.

Cedric’s heart condition came to light in May this year when he collapsed while attending a tennis tournament in Kigali, Rwanda, where he had accompanied his son, Cillian Asante Ndilima.

He was immediately airlifted to the Aga Khan University Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya, where he was admitted to the intensive care unit and diagnosed with a serious heart condition.

His condition has since rapidly deteriorated, pushing doctors to recommend a heart transplant as his only chance of survival.

However, family members said the life-saving procedure can only be performed abroad, prompting an urgent need to evacuate Cedric for specialised treatment.

In response to this medical emergency, family, friends, and supporters have launched a fundraising campaign aiming to raise £300,000 (about shillings 1.5 billion) to cover the cost of the heart transplant and related expenses.

In a message shared on Friday, May 29, 2025, the family says they were grateful for all the positive thoughts and energy as he fights on for his recovery.  

“We have received so many queries about financial support. As we prepare for his transfer for a life-saving heart transplant, we urgently need to raise funds for his evacuation and medical costs. As we continue to care for Cedric and prepare for the next steps in his treatment, we are welcoming contributions from all who feel moved to support,” the statement said.

Contributions can be sent to Stanbic Bank Uganda Ltd, account name Stamos Konstantinos on account number 9030002800399 (dollar account) Forest Mall or ABSA Bank, account name Siki Salima Kigongo, account number 2040869096 (Ksh), Branch Westland no. 73, SWIFT; BARCKENX.

Direct contributions can also be sent to Ola Bunyenyezi and Yvonne Babu at Nairobi Hospital and in Kampala to Costa Stamos at Platia. The family also said that any other inquiries about financial contributions can be made to Anisha Kigongo on +250789902625 or Humprey Nzeyi on +256772220020.

The family promised to share updates periodically and urged the public to continue praying for Cedric.

The family had also opened a GoFundMe appeal where they describe Cedric as “our father, brother, son, uncle, friend, and bright light,” appealing for donations of any size to help give him a second chance at life.

Supporters unable to contribute financially are encouraged to share the campaign widely to increase its reach.

Cedric hosted the “Cedric Live Show” on UBC and produced acclaimed local drama Beneath the Lies, and is also a former Davis Cup player and President of the Uganda Tennis Association.

In 2021, he joined politics and contested for Kampala Central under the ruling NRM party but became unsuccessful.

He is the son of former minister Francis Babu, and his mother, Olive Zaitun Kigongo, a prominent businesswoman and chief executive officer of the Uganda National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (UNCCI).