Former tennis star and administrator, Cedric Babu, passes away at 46
Babu's health took a turn for the worse earlier this month when he collapsed while on a trip to Kigali, Rwanda. Medical examinations revealed the severity of his condition, leading to his admission to the ICU and the urgent need for a heart transplant.
Ugandan sports enthusiasts are in mourning following the passing of Cedric Ndilima Babu, a former national tennis team captain and President of the Uganda Tennis Association (UTA). Babu, aged 46, died after a period of battling severe heart failure in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at a Nairobi hospital.
Babu’s health took a turn for the worse earlier this month when he collapsed while on a trip to Kigali, Rwanda. Medical examinations revealed the severity of his condition, leading to his admission to the ICU and the urgent need for a heart transplant.
The Babu family, led by his parents Capt. Francis Babu and Olive Kigongo, the former East African Legislative Assembly Speaker, initiated a fundraising drive to raise approximately Shs 1.5 billion to cover the costs associated with the complex transplant procedure. The outpouring of support from the Ugandan community reflected Babu’s significant impact on the nation, both on and off the court.
Cedric Babu’s contributions to Ugandan sports, and particularly tennis, are undeniable. He was a prominent figure in the sport, first as a talented player who captained the national team. Following his retirement from active competition, Babu transitioned into sports administration, where he dedicated his energy to developing and promoting tennis in Uganda.
As President of the Uganda Tennis Association, he worked tirelessly to improve the sport’s infrastructure, nurture young talent, and raise the profile of tennis nationally and internationally.
Beyond his sporting achievements, Babu also ventured into the political arena. He contested for the Member of Parliament seat for Kampala Central in the 2021 general elections, demonstrating his commitment to serving his community in a broader capacity.
The news of Cedric Babu’s passing has been met with widespread sadness and tributes from across Uganda. He is remembered as a dedicated sportsman, a passionate administrator, and a man deeply committed to his country. His legacy will undoubtedly live on through the countless individuals he inspired, both on and off the tennis court.
His contributions to the development of tennis in Uganda are immeasurable, and his absence will be deeply felt by the entire sporting community. The Uganda Tennis Association and the wider sports fraternity have lost a true champion.
Details regarding funeral arrangements will be announced in due course.
