Kaberuka: How Cedric Babu Fell Ill in Kigali

Delivering a deeply personal and emotional eulogy, Dr. Donald Kaberuka, former Rwandan Finance Minister and maternal uncle to the late Cedric Babu, offered mourners a detailed account of how Babu’s sudden illness unfolded and ultimately claimed his life.

Speaking on behalf of the maternal side of the family during the burial ceremony in Kamengo this Saturday, Kaberuka recalled how Babu arrived in Kigali with his two sons in mid-April, intending to stay at his uncle’s home.

“Around the 14th of April, I received a text from Cedric. He said to me, ‘I’m coming to Kigali with my two sons. Could I stay with you?’ I said, Cedric, please come anytime — your home is your home.”

Shortly after his arrival, Babu began feeling unwell.

“A day later, he sent me a text — at quite a late time US time — and he said, ‘I’m not feeling well. I’m going to go to a chemist and buy myself some medicine.’”

Kaberuka thought it was unwise but learned that Babu had purchased medicine for suspected malaria.

However, his condition quickly worsened.

“At about 4 o’clock US time, he sent me another text: ‘Boss,’ — that’s what he called me — ‘I’m not feeling very well. I’ve not felt this sick. Could you recommend a doctor or a hospital?’”

Alarmed, Kaberuka contacted his personal doctor in Kigali.

“I said, Cedric, let me best do this. I’m going to call my personal doctor, and he will come to see you.” Dr. Sam, the physician, examined Babu and quickly recognized the seriousness of the situation.

“He sent me a text separately to say, Cedric’s condition is quite serious and requires hospital admission.”

Babu was initially taken to Kigali’s Faisal Hospital and later transferred to the military hospital for further care.

His wife Alison and brother Antonio flew into Kigali to support him. Kaberuka extended special gratitude to Ugandan friends who facilitated Cedric’s urgent medical evacuation to Nairobi.

“It is thanks to you that his evacuation to Nairobi was so swift and well-organized. I was really amazed.”

In Nairobi, Babu was admitted to Aga Khan University Hospital. Despite his worsening condition, Babu showed incredible resilience.

“He absolutely never gave in at any point,” Kaberuka told mourners.

“He knew it was bad news. He understood his disease. But he was extremely strong and fighting all the time.”

Just days before his passing, doctors appeared optimistic.

“Last Friday, his father Captain, his mum Olive and I met with the doctors. They told us they were actually planning to take him off artificial respiration because they thought he was making huge progress.”

Encouraged by this development, Kaberuka left for an emergency meeting in Morocco.

“They said he’s stable, so I traveled off. On landing in Casablanca, I get a call that Cedric has not made it. It was astounding and shocking.”

Kaberuka, reflecting on his nephew’s ordeal, issued a heartfelt appeal to young people.

“Please do your medical checkups. It doesn’t matter how young you think you are. It doesn’t matter how healthy you think you are. There’s no harm in that.”

He concluded by acknowledging the immense devotion of Cedric’s family during his final battle.

“Captain and Olive, I saw both of you at Aga Khan. I saw how you wore it, I saw what you did. And to Alison and the kids — you are a pillar of strength.”

“Life is a gift to all of us. We shall all die one day, but the important thing is to do our best when we are here. And as you heard, Cedric has done his very best.”

Cedric Babu, aged 46, was a prominent Ugandan media personality, entrepreneur, and sports administrator.

His sudden passing has left a deep void among family, friends, and the wider Ugandan community.