Kampala, Uganda: Cedric Babu Ndilima, a former Uganda Davis Cup tennis captain, celebrated media personality, and visionary sports administrator, died Saturday, May 31, 2025, leaving behind a storied legacy that spans sports, politics, entertainment, and national development.
Cedric, 48, passed away at Aga Khan Hospital in Nairobi, just days after a public fundraising campaign had been launched to facilitate an urgent heart transplant abroad.
The Babus confirmed the death of their beloved in a joint statement issued Saturday, shortly after the news had taken over social media by storm.
“It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved Cedric Babu Ndilima, who left us on the 31st of May 2025 at Aga Khan Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya, after a long and courageous fight,” the statement read in part. “Cedric was a cherished father, son, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend — loved deeply by all who knew him.”
Cedric’s passing comes as a devastating blow to family, friends, and supporters who had rallied around him in recent weeks.
Cedric’s Early Life and Education
Born on August 31, 1976, in Nairobi, Kenya, Cedric was the son of Capt. Francis Babu, a former Kampala Central MP and aviation pioneer, and Ms Olive Kigongo, a respected businesswoman and President of the Uganda National Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
From a young age, Cedric’s love for tennis was unmatched. He dominated Uganda’s junior tennis circuits, clinching titles in the U-12, U-14, and U-18 categories.
His talent earned him a scholarship to Bethune-Cookman University in Florida, USA, where he played collegiate tennis and pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. He later attained a postgraduate degree in Computing and Information Systems from the University of Ulster, UK, and enrolled in an MBA program at the University of Miami.
Passion for Sports & Administration
Cedric returned to Uganda as both a decorated athlete and a global-minded administrator. Transitioning from player to administrator, Cedric was elected President of the Uganda Tennis Association (UTA) in 2011 and re-elected in 2018.
Under his leadership, UTA regained full membership in the International Tennis Federation, launched grassroots and wheelchair tennis programs, and hosted multiple professional tennis events.
In 2016, Cedric served as the Uganda Olympic Team Manager at the Rio de Janeiro Games. He also chaired the Marketing Commission of the Uganda Olympic Committee from 2017 to 2021, emphasizing the integration of sports into national development agendas.
Media Ventures and The Cedric Live Show
Beyond the court, Cedric’s communication prowess propelled him into Uganda’s media space. In 2018, he was appointed Head of Corporate Communications, Sales, and Marketing at Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC).
That same year, he launched The Cedric Live Show, a weekly Sunday evening talk show on UBC TV featuring in-depth interviews with politicians, creatives, business leaders, and sports icons—offering Ugandans a blend of substance, inspiration, and national pride.
His foray into acting included several roles in Ugandan and regional productions, where his charisma and eloquence shone.
Political Aspirations
In 2020, Cedric ventured into politics, contesting for the Kampala Central parliamentary seat under the National Resistance Movement (NRM) banner. He won the NRM primaries with 26,799 votes, signaling strong support within the party.
His campaign emphasized urban development, youth empowerment, and the potential of sports and entertainment as tools for economic growth. Cedric advocated for increased investments in skills development and the integration of sports into the national development framework.
Cedri was also connected to the Patriotic League of Uganda, a civic group, led by President Museveni’s powerful son and military chief Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, where he served as Vice Chairman for Kampala and Metropolitan.
In the upcoming 2026 elections, Cedric was poised to hold the NRM Flag as the ruling party’s candidate in Kampala Central MP polls, where the incumbent, Muhammad Nsereko, is not contesting.
Personal Life and Legacy
As a father of three, Cedric’s passion for tennis lived on through his son, Cillian Asante Ndilima, who in 2024 made history by securing a four-year scholarship to the Evert Tennis Academy in Florida, a move widely hailed as a landmark achievement for Ugandan tennis development.
Despite his various achievements, Cedric Babu remained grounded, often stating that “Uganda’s greatest potential lies in its youth, and it’s our duty to invest in them through sports, education, and innovation.”
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