Africa-Press – Uganda. Chief of Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, delivered an emotional eulogy at the burial of his lifelong friend Cedric Babu Ndilima, describing him as more than a companion — “a loyal brother you could always rely on.”
The funeral, held in Kamengo, Mpigi District, drew high-profile mourners including Muhoozi and his wife Charlotte Kainerugaba, who laid a wreath beside Babu’s casket.
Babu died on May 31, 2025, in Nairobi, succumbing to heart complications after collapsing weeks earlier while in Kigali, Rwanda.
His death marked the end of a life defined by sporting brilliance, business acumen, and a rising political spirit.
Muhoozi, speaking with visible sorrow, said their friendship began in the 1980s while both families lived in exile in Nairobi.
The bond deepened when they reunited in 1987 at Kampala Parents School, and later in secondary school, where Cedric’s excellence in tennis made him a national sports sensation.
“He was a brilliant sportsman,” Muhoozi said. “The first time I saw him play tennis at Lugogo Stadium, I knew he was special. He was not just a friend but a loyal brother.”
During his eulogy, the general recalled a final private visit Cedric made to his Entebbe home before heading to Rwanda.
“It was rare because we often met in public or official gatherings, but this time, he came to my house, and we had a long chat,” Muhoozi shared.
“We spoke about life, family, and his future plans. Little did I know that would be the last time I saw him.”
Babu, son of former minister and Kampala Central MP Capt Francis Babu and Olive Zaitun Kigongo – the chief executive of Uganda National Chamber of Commerce and Industry -, had opened up during the visit about his intention to contest again in the 2026 elections, after an unsuccessful bid in 2021.
Muhoozi said news of Cedric’s illness had caught him off guard.
“When I heard about his heart condition, I believed he would pull through. But God had a different plan,” he said, his voice heavy with grief.
“Though we mourn, we are grateful for the 50 years we shared with him. He lived a good life—full of love, loyalty, and dedication to Uganda.”
Muhoozi noted that despite being part of Uganda’s elite, Cedric chose a path of public service and engagement.
“He was a patriot,” he said, ‘He wanted to contribute to Uganda’s development, and that was one of the things we discussed in our last meeting.”
Muhoozi pledged that Cedric’s friends would support his family. “We owe it to him to stand by his children and loved ones.”
Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa also paid tribute at the burial, praising Babu as an inspirational figure whose legacy remains intact and worthy of emulation.
He said the prayers and messages delivered during the send-off signified that Babu had “completed his mission on earth,” and urged his children to carry on his values.
Tayebwa read a condolence message from President Museveni, who mourned Babu as a national treasure in the world of sports.
The President said Uganda had lost a “sports gem” whose talent would live on beyond his death.
He also lauded Babu’s willingness to serve in politics, describing him as a budding leader, a mobiliser, and a patriot.
Cedric Babu was a national tennis champion and played in the Davis Cup in his heyday before retiring to promote the sport he loved for dearly.
He had remained active in public life through various roles in business and community initiatives.
His legacy, mourners agreed, would live on through the institutions he helped shape and the lives he touched.
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