Cedric Babu, the son of former cabinet minister Francis Babu and a friend of army chief General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has launched a funds drive to raise £300,000 (shs1.44bn) for his heart transplant.

Simon Kaheru, the fundraiser coordinator who was recently appointed by President Museveni to head the National Strategic Communications Commission, said Cedric Babu was battling “severe heart failure”.

“Cedric—our father, brother, son, uncle, friend and bright light—is currently in the ICU, courageously fighting for his life after being diagnosed with severe heart failure,” Mr Kaheru said.

“His condition has deteriorated rapidly, and doctors have confirmed that his only chance of survival now lies in a heart transplant.”

A transplant involves replacing the entire failing heart with a healthy donor heart.

Mr Kaheru launched the fundraiser on GoFundMe, an online crowdfunding platform, where only 3% of the funds has been raised.

“This life-saving procedure can only be done abroad, and Cedric must be medically evacuated to London immediately to begin the process. We are launching this fundraiser to raise £300,000,” he said.

The fundraiser has reignited debate about Uganda’s failing healthcare system—especially after Justice Irene Mulyagonja, a Court of Appeal judge, called Mulago Hospital a “monument” in a viral video, citing 24-hour delays for basic blood tests.

“I want to say that, yes, we have that hospital there. But I think it’s just a monument. You cannot take a CBC. And it takes 24 hours for you to get a result. And you are in 6B,” she said, referring to both the private wing and the Complete Blood Count.

The fundraiser immediately triggered a stream of sarcastic comments from Ugandans on social media.

One commenter calling himself Selebmose Mukiibi said: “But Cedric comes from a rich family and [is] very well connected to the CDF [Chief of Defence Forces]. Does he need donation like peasants??????? Just asking.”

Another commenter named Kadabra St. Abra said: “His friends and next of kin can cover associated costs: Muhoozi (CDF and first son), Museveni (Muhoozi’s dad and president), Zaituni Kigongo (biological mum + ex-wife of [Moses] Kigongo (step daddy), Edward Francis Babu (biological daddy), Margaret Zziwa (current step mum).”

“If you hadn’t used a photo with kids in, I would just comment with 😂🤣🤣🤣. For someone who openly supports Muhoozi as he unleashes his brutality on Ugandans, mutuleke nebizibu byaffe,” wrote someone calling themselves Resistance and using Luganda words for “leave us alone with our problems.”

Although some commenters sympathised with Cedric Babu, most said his family is in a position to meet the cost of treatment given its connection to the NRM government.

No Ugandan hospital has ever done a heart transplant. While the Uganda Heart Institute has performed open-bypass surgeries, it is not equipped to perform heart transplants.

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