Chief of Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, delivered an emotional eulogy at the burial of his lifelong friend, Cedric Babu Ndilima, in Kamengo. The fallen businessman and former political aspirant died on 30th May 2024 in Nairobi where he was rushed after collapsing weeks earlier in Kigali, Rwanda. He succumbed to heart complications. Flanked by his wife Charlotte at the funeral, Gen Muhoozi recounted their final meeting, a rare private conversation at his home in Entebbe before Cedric travelled to Rwanda. “It was rare because we often met in public or official gatherings, but this time, he came to my house, and we had a long chat,” Muhoozi shared. “We spoke about life, family, and his future plans. Little did I know that would be the last time I saw him.” During the meeting, Muhoozi said Cedric shared with him his future plans including contesting again in the 2026 elections; having participated unsuccessfuly in the 2021 parliamentary elections for Kampala Central. The general said the news that his friend was down with heart complications caught him offguard. “When I heard about his heart condition, I believed he would pull through. But God had a different plan,” he said, his voice heavy with grief. A Friendship Forged in Exile and School Muhoozi traced their friendship back to the 1980s when their families lived in exile in Nairobi. They reconnected in 1987 when Museveni’s family returned from Sweden. They two linked up at Kampala Parents School together. Their bond grew stronger in secondary school, where Cedric’s talent in tennis made him a standout athlete. “He was a brilliant sportsman,” Muhoozi recalled. “The first time I saw him play tennis at Lugogo Stadium, I knew he was special. He was not just a friend but a loyal brother you could always rely on.” A Legacy of Patriotism and Friendship Gen Muhoozi also pointed out that despite Cedric, the son of the late Captain Francis Babu, a renowned politician and businessman, being part of Uganda’s elite, he chose a path of service. “He was a patriot,” Muhoozi emphasised. “He wanted to contribute to Uganda’s development, and that was one of the things we discussed in our last meeting.” Gen Muhoozi assured the nation that Cedric’s friends would stand by his family. “We owe it to him to support his children and loved ones,” he said. “Though we mourn, we are grateful for the 50 years we shared with him. He lived a good life—full of love, loyalty, and dedication to Uganda.”