The Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has described Cedric Babu as a loyal and reliable friend who could be trusted in whatever circumstances.
Kaineruba, who was accompanied by his wife Charlotte, was speaking at Cedric’s burial in Kamengo, Mpigi District.
According to Gen Kainerugaba, they met in Nairobi in the 1980s while in exile.
They separated when he went to live in Sweden and reconnected at St. Mary’s College Kisubi in 1988.
“We became great, great friends,” said Muhoozi.
He described Cedric as a talented sportsman who loved playing tennis. “He was a very popular tennis player,” he said.
The CDF said when he learnt that Cedric had developed heart complications, he was confident that he would recover.
“But God had other plans, and we’ve lost Cedric,” he said.
Cedric was hospitalised with heart failure after collapsing in Kigali, where he had accompanied his son for a tennis tournament.
Gen Kainerugaba said Cedric had visited him at his home in Entebbe a few days before he went to Kigali.
He said that they hadn’t met privately for a while to have such a long chat, though they would meet at public events.
“We talked about life. We talked about family. He told me his plans for the future,” he said.
The CDF noted that Cedric was already making plans to contribute to the country’s development through active involvement in politics.
“Cedric was a patriot. He loved Uganda and was willing to sacrifice a lot for his country,” he said.
He assured that, as Cedric’s friends, they’ll continue to engage with his children because they owe him that.
He thanked Cedric’s father, Francis Babu, and mother, Olive Kigongo, for everything they did for their son while he was hospitalised.
Friends and relatives eulogised Cedric as a loving and caring person who will be greatly missed.
