Kampala, Uganda: By the time the late Cedric Babu Ndilima breathed his last in Nairobi on Saturday, May 31, 2025, at the age of 49, at least UGX 200 million had been raised in a desperate GoFundMe fundraiser for his emergency heart transplant in London.
The fundraiser, which had only been active for under 48 hours, had collected £39,358 (approximately Shs200 million), just 13 per cent of the £300,000 (about Shs1.5 billion) target that was needed to cater for Cedric’s surgery, medical bills, and associated expenses.
The campaign, launched by his family on Thursday, May 29, described his condition at the time as “severe heart failure,” which had progressively worsened in recent days. The medical urgency and emotional appeal stirred a global response, with at least 343 people contributing from various parts of the world.
Among the notable donations, an anonymous contributor sent in a lump sum of £7,417, while Ugandan business magnate, Sudhir Ruparelia, whose late son Rajiv Ruparelia was friends with Cedric, extended support with a £2,500 contribution. Lt. Gen. Leopold Kyanda gave £622 while six other contributors, including Ministers Balaam Barugahara and Peter Ogwang, each donated £1,000 or more towards the cause.
In a heartfelt tribute on X (formerly Twitter), Dr Sudhir posted an old photo of Cedric and Rajiv working together during their youthful days in media, smiles wide and spirits high.
“Another son of ours has left this world. May Cedric’s Soul Rest in Peace. Here with Rajiv, may they rest in peace,” Dr Sudhir, who early this month bid a painful farewell to his only son, wrote, accompanying the caption with a rose flower emoji that encapsulated the pain of losing yet another soul considered family.
The image and message struck a deep chord across Uganda’s social media, casting light on the often unseen personal relationships behind public figures. The post amplified a collective national grief, one rooted in admiration, loss, and shared memories.
The urgency of Cedric’s situation, described by his family on Tuesday as ‘severe’, drove the online fundraiser, which, despite its brief run, became a powerful rallying cry. Contributors from all walks of life chipped in, some donating as little as £5 and others sending in thousands, all united by a desire to give Cedric a fighting chance.
Despite the outpouring of love, time was not on their side. Cedric’s condition worsened, and by Saturday night, the campaign turned from a call to save his life into a painful reminder of a race against time lost too soon.
Yet even in tragedy, the campaign became a symbol of national unity. It reminded Ugandans of the values that hold them together: empathy, action, and the will to support their own.
As news of his death circulated, a few cynical voices questioned the feasibility of the fundraiser. But those voices were easily drowned out by the overwhelming wave of support from hundreds of donors who acted out of love, respect, and hope.
Cedric Babu Ndilima may have passed on, but the story of how his life touched so many, and how a country tried to save him, remains a powerful testament to Uganda’s heart.
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