Bbaale Francis' last message to Ugandans revealed

By Eddie Ssejjoba    

UGANDA Broadcasting Corporation (UBC) veteran news anchor, Bbaale Francis's last message appealing for public contribution towards raising $42,438 (shs123m) for his referral treatment in Apollo Hospital in India was not aired.

Bbaale went to UBC on March 30 and asked for a television recording appealing for help from the public but died on April 2 before the message was aired.

"Hello, my name is Bbaale Francis, I have been with you for years on end. There is no doubt about one thing that I'm now a victim of cancer. And I have undergone a series of surgeries at Mulago Hospital to have this ailment corrected. And finally the Uganda Cancer Institute has decided that a final treatment can only be handled through a referral to Apollo Hospital somewhere in India….", he went on with the appeal. 

He said in the message that his doctors had recommended surgery not later than May this year.

He looked so humbled and smiled throughout the recording but appeared so frail. "I will be very grateful if you can give me another lease of life. Thank you so much and may God bless you. Please do help me."

The recording was repeated but he gave almost the same message without referring to any written text.

Led by Patrick Luwandagga, Bbaale walked out of the studios and greeted almost everyone in the newsroom and outside. Most workmates preferred to cuddle their mentor to welcome him back but little did they know they were bidding him farewell.

Workmates said the fundraising drive was launched on Thursday morning but was not played after they got news at about 10.30am that he had passed on.            

A telecommunication employee who had viewed Bbaale Francis on UBC commented that even if it had been for each of his fans contributing shs500, he would have gotten the money in one day.

"I used to see my parents watch Bbaale Francis reading news and I would watch him too although I could not understand English well," he said. 

“We shall miss him” he added.