Museveni Eulogizes Cedric Babu: Uganda has lost a Sports Gem, Future Leader

President Yoweri Museveni has paid tribute to the departed media personality and sports administrator, Cedric Babu Ndilima, describing him as a patriot who passionately loved his country.

In his speech read by the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa, during the requiem mass at Rubaga Cathedral on Friday, Museveni praised Babu as a sports gem and a promising leader whose passion for national service and community mobilization made him stand out among his peers.

The president said that the country has lost an exceptional figure in the sports sector, whose talent will continue to be remembered even after his passing. 

“The nation has lost a sports gem whose talent will always linger around even after his death. His ability to mobilize and get involved in politics was an indicator of an upcoming leader, mobilizer, and patriot who loved his country and cared to get involved in matters of leadership on various fronts,” said Tayebwa as he read Museveni’s speech.

He applauded Babu’s contribution during his time at the Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC), saying that the nation remained grateful for the wisdom and insight he consistently shared with the public through his broadcasts.

“We pride ourselves on his service, especially during his employment at Uganda Broadcasting Corporation. And the nation will remain indebted to the thoughts and expressions of wisdom he passed on during his live broadcast sessions.”

Museveni commended Babu’s parents for raising him into a responsible citizen.

“I appreciate his parents for the great work they performed of bringing him up as a responsible citizen. A father plays a big role in seeing to the affairs of sustaining and keeping the family strong and in unity at all times, nurturing children as well as instilling in them values that enable them to surmount life challenges.”

The head of state further stated that Babu passed away in his prime, just when his family most needed him. 

He commiserated with the sports fraternity, especially the Uganda Tennis Association, as well as friends and the entire bereaved family.

Cedric Babu died at the Aga Khan Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya, due to heart complications.

He will be laid to rest at his ancestral home in Kamengo on Saturday.