INDIAN ASSOCIATION UGANDA PLEDGES 100 FREE HEART SURGERIES AS INDIA DAY 2026 CELEBRATIONS LAUNCH

The Indian Association Uganda has announced plans to support 100 free heart surgeries for Ugandan children, as the Plascon India Day 2026 celebrations were formally launch at Fairway Hotel in Kampala.

Saturday , the association Chairman Mr. Paresh Mehta said the healthcare pledge builds on the organisation's previous contributions, which have so far enabled 265 free heart surgeries.

"We have to date made 265 heart surgeries, and now we commit to 100 more as a give-back to the community," Mr. Mehta said.

The initiative is being supported by Tembo Steels Uganda, Plascon, the Ruparelia Foundation, Victoria University, Bank of Baroda, Tyre Express, Madhvani Group, and Britannia, among other partners.

The association is organising the celebrations in conjunction with the Vishwadharma Foundation, with proceeds from the event expected to support heart and cataract surgeries for people in need across Uganda.

 According to programme details, the wider healthcare initiative also targets approximately 1,000 cataract surgeries, while eligible children with severe cardiac conditions are expected to receive specialised treatment in India along with post-operative support.

The healthcare pledge sets the tone for what organisers describe as the biggest India Day celebration yet, with the main event scheduled for October 3, 2026, at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds from approximately 4pm. Indian singer Neha Kakkar is billed to headline the celebration, which will feature music, culture, food, and entertainment drawing crowds from across Kampala and beyond.

The programme will also include a corporate dinner for sponsors and partners, alongside engagements with community leaders, positioning the day as both a cultural showcase and a platform for continued community giving.

Representing the Ruparelia Foundation, Victoria University Vice Chancellor Prof. Lawrence Muganga commended the Indian community for its contribution to Uganda's development, saying the initiative demonstrated the importance of partnerships that improve people's lives, particularly through healthcare.

He asked guests to imagine the difference that restoring someone's sight or giving a child a functioning heart could make.

"Imagine if you are walking around heartless and you do not have the heart. Can that happen? But there are people who are craving and they are almost losing their lives without a normal functioning heart, but the Indian Association is saving their lives by giving news hearts," he said.

Prof. Muganga also praised the Indian community's contribution to Uganda's economy through job creation, tax contributions, and investment. He said Victoria University, part of the Ruparelia Group, was proud to be associated with the initiative and expressed interest in strengthening its participation in future programmes.

"We do not have green, purple, blue, yellow, orange. No, we are all Ugandans," he said, urging Ugandans to appreciate the contribution of the Indian community.

He also highlighted the university's plans to establish what he described as the "IIT of Uganda, or even East Africa," saying the institution would help reduce the need for Ugandans to seek modern education and technology opportunities abroad.

The association said the India Day celebrations are intended to strengthen the friendship between India and Uganda while raising support for healthcare initiatives. Mr. Mehta said the association's contribution to Uganda would continue to focus on initiatives that create lasting impact on the community.

The announcement comes as Uganda continues to seek stronger partnerships in healthcare, investment, and skills development, with the countdown now on to the October 3 flagship celebration at Kololo.