Cedric Babu Ndilima, a prominent Ugandan media figure and sports administrator, has died in Nairobi, Kenya, at the age of 48. His death on Saturday, 31 May, followed a prolonged battle with severe heart failure.
Ndilima had been receiving treatment at Aga Khan University Hospital in Nairobi, where he was admitted several weeks ago. His condition had worsened after collapsing in May while attending a tennis tournament in Kigali, Rwanda, alongside his son. He was later diagnosed with a life-threatening heart condition, for which doctors recommended an urgent transplant in London.
A fundraising campaign launched by his family and friends aimed to raise £300,000 (approximately 1.5 billion Ugandan shillings) to support the cost of the operation.
Confirmation of his passing came from both close associates in Nairobi and the Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC), where Ndilima previously worked as a television presenter. In a statement, UBC said: “We are deeply saddened by the passing of Cedric Babu Ndilima, a former colleague and valued member of the UBC family. Through The Cedric Live Show, he brought insight and vibrance to our screens. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones.”
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Beyond his broadcasting career, Ndilima was involved in the Ugandan sports sector, notably serving as president of the Uganda Tennis Association. He was also a former national tennis player, having represented Uganda in the Davis Cup.
In 2021, he entered politics, contesting for the Kampala Central parliamentary seat under the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party. His candidacy followed in the footsteps of his father, Captain Francis Babu, a veteran political figure in Uganda. However, he was unsuccessful in that bid.
Ndilima was also active in the entertainment industry and produced Beneath the Lies, a locally acclaimed television drama series.
He is survived by his family, including his son, Cillian Asante Ndilima.
