Cedric Babu, the vice chairman of the Patriotic League of Uganda, a political startup led by President Museveni’s son and army chief General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has died from heart failure, according to Daily Monitor. He was 46.

Friends had launched a fundraiser for Cedric Babu, son of former cabinet minister Francis Babu, to raise £300,000 (shs1.44bn) for his heart transplant.

Simon Kaheru, the fundraiser coordinator, said: “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.”

At the time of Cedric Babu’s death, the fundraiser on GoFundMe, an online crowdfunding platform, had raised only 3% of the shs1.44bn.

The fundraiser 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.

It 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, who died in a Nairobi hospital, most said his family was in a position to meet the cost of treatment given its connection to the NRM government.

🔴 Brief But Hot brings you short, sharp takes on stories that are setting off alarm bells—politically charged, emotionally raw or socially explosive. These are not long reads, but they pack a punch. When something happens that demands attention now, you will find it here.