Former Kampala Central MP Capt. Francis Babu and businesswoman Olive Zaitun Kigongo have paid heartfelt tribute to their late son, Cedric Babu, ahead of his burial in Mpigi District.
Cedric, a well-known sportsman and respected public figure, passed away last week at Aga Khan Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya. He died while undergoing treatment for severe heart failure. His condition had worsened after collapsing in Kigali, Rwanda, where he had gone to support his son during a tennis tournament.
In a desperate attempt to save his life, Cedric was airlifted to Nairobi, and the family had begun raising £300,000 (approximately UGX 1.2 billion) to fund a life-saving heart transplant. Sadly, he passed away before the procedure could be carried out.
Speaking during the requiem mass held at Rubaga Cathedral, Cedric’s parents and loved ones shared emotional tributes, reflecting on his vibrant life, accomplishments in sports, and his enduring spirit.
“I hadn’t cried in years but when the doctors told me Cedric might not make it,I wept like a baby. I couldn’t believe it.” he recalled.
“But in that moment of grief, something shifted in me. I heard a voice in my heart say: stop thinking about yourself—look at Cedric. I won’t tell you how he died, but I will tell you how he lived.”
Cedric’s parents, young and full of hope, had him while living in Nairobi. He was born at Nairobi Hospital, and his early years were filled with challenges.
“He cried constantly, kicked us endlessly. We took him to a pediatrician in Nairobi, and one day she told us, ‘Don’t bring him back until he calms down. If he’s kicking, he’s fine.’ It was odd advice, but it made me realize this child had an inner fire.”
That fire would shape Cedric’s life. His father was inspired to send him to a school with a strong focus on extravehicular sports, leadership, and creativity.
Cedric thrived at Kenton College in Kenya, where he especially shined in rugby. Later in life, he took up tennis and once again proved himself an exceptional athlete.
“We had so many conversations, just the two of us,” his father reminisced. “One day, Cedric told me he wanted to run for Member of Parliament. My heart swelled with pride. To me—and to all of us—Cedric was a diamond.” he said.
Cedric’s mother, Olive Zaitun Kigongo, spoke with deep sorrow but also clarity about the final days of her son’s life. Cedric had traveled to Kigali to support his son Klian at a tennis tournament. That’s where he collapsed.
“I was in Kuala Lumpur at the time, preparing to travel elsewhere. But something told me to go home. The next morning, I flew to Kigali and found Cedric at King Faisal Hospital. My family in Kigali was already there, taking care of him” She said.
Doctors soon discovered he was suffering from heart failure. He was flown to Aga Khan Hospital in Nairobi, thanks to the help of friends and family. “It was terrifying,” she recalled. “He had always been so full of life, never seriously ill. I never imagined seeing him in such a state. Still, I believed he would pull through.”
Cedric was born and raised in Nairobi, during a time when Uganda wasn’t safe. “I didn’t have help from my parents not because they didn’t care, but because the situation wouldn’t allow it. I raised him on my own, and he was everything to me. I even gave him a Kinyarwanda nickname ‘Gahungu,’ meaning young man.” Olive explained
“He always knew when I was happy or when something was wrong. He was my only son, and he was deeply loved.” she said.
Cedric’s wife, Allison Gallagher, along with their children—Amani, Klian, and Shema—shared their heartbreak in a moving tribute.
“He was our mentor, best friend, coach, and hero. None of us imagined we’d be attending his funeral. Not like this. Not so soon.”
