KAMPALA, Uganda — Ugandan media personality, sports administrator, and political figure, Cedric Babu Ndilima has died at the age of 46.
Cedric, the son of veteran politician Captain Francis Babu and former East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) speaker Margaret Zziwa Nantongo, died on Saturday afternoon following a battle with heart failure.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Cedric Babu Ndilima, a former colleague and valued member of the UBC family. Through The Cedric Live Show, he brought insight and vibrance to our screens. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones,” the Uganda Broadcasting Corporation posted on their social media platforms, acknowledging his contributions.
Babu’s health deteriorated in early May when he collapsed in Kigali, Rwanda, where he was supporting his son, Cillian Asante Ndilima, at a tennis tournament.
He was subsequently airlifted to the Aga Khan Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya, where medical professionals recommended a heart transplant as his only viable option, an operation estimated to cost Shs. 1.5 billion.
His family and friends swiftly initiated a fundraising campaign to secure the necessary funds, with contributions beginning to come in prior to his passing.
A former accomplished tennis player, Cedric represented Uganda in the Davis Cup, serving both as a player and later as team captain. His passion for tennis led him to the presidency of the Uganda Tennis Association, where he focused on nurturing talent and reconnecting Uganda with the international tennis community.
A rapidly deteriorating health battle
Cedric’s health crisis began in early May when he collapsed during a tennis tournament in Kigali, Rwanda, where he had accompanied his son, Cillian Asante Ndilima, a promising tennis talent.
He was immediately airlifted to Nairobi’s Aga Khan University Hospital and admitted to intensive care.
Diagnosed with severe heart failure, his condition rapidly declined, leading doctors to conclude that a heart transplant was his only chance of survival.
This procedure necessitated specialized treatment abroad, prompting urgent efforts to transfer him to medical facilities in London or India.
In response, family, friends, and supporters launched a fundraising campaign aiming to raise £300,000 to cover the transplant and associated expenses. Despite these efforts and his courageous fight, Cedric succumbed to the illness.
A legacy in media and sports
Cedric Babu was a prominent figure in Ugandan media and sports administration. He gained recognition as the host of the popular “Cedric Live Show” on the Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC) and as the producer of the acclaimed local drama “Beneath the Lies.”
Beyond media, Cedric made significant contributions to sports, having been a former Davis Cup tennis player and serving as President of the Uganda Tennis Association.
In 2021, he vied for the parliamentary seat of Kampala Central under the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party, although his bid was unsuccessful. His presence in Uganda’s public life was characterized by dedication, passion, and commitment.
Family background and personal dedication
Cedric came from a distinguished family with a strong background in public service and business.
His father, Francis Babu, is a respected former government minister, while his mother, Olive Zaitun Kigongo, is a leading businesswoman and the CEO of the Uganda National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (UNCCI).
In recent years, Cedric dedicated much of his time to supporting his son Cillian’s burgeoning tennis career, with the young athlete training at the renowned Evert Tennis Academy in the United States.
Details regarding vigils and funeral arrangements will be shared in due course, according to a family statement.
They have requested continued thoughts and prayers during this profoundly difficult time.
