Uganda’s Indian community has kicked off one of its biggest cultural celebration of the year on Saturday, unveiling a pledge of 100 free heart surgeries for children alongside plans for a headline performance by Indian singer Neha Kakkar at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds.
The Plascon India Day 2026 celebrations were formally launched at Fairway Hotel in Kampala, Saturday bringing together corporate sponsors, community leaders, and partners ahead of the main event scheduled for October 3, beginning at approximately 4pm.
Indian Association Uganda Chairman Mr. Paresh Mehta used the launch to announce the fresh healthcare commitment, revealing that the association has already facilitated 265 free heart surgeries for Ugandans in need.
“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 healthcare push is being backed by a wide coalition of partners, including Tembo Steels Uganda, Plascon, the Ruparelia Foundation, Victoria University, Bank of Baroda, Tyre Express, Madhvani Group, and Britannia.
Organised in conjunction with the Vishwadharma Foundation, the wider initiative also targets roughly 1,000 cataract surgeries, with proceeds from the October 3 celebration expected to support both programmes. Children with severe cardiac conditions identified through the initiative are expected to receive specialised treatment in India, along with post-operative support.
Representing the Ruparelia Foundation, Victoria University Vice Chancellor Prof. Lawrence Muganga praised the Indian community’s contribution to Uganda’s development, telling guests to imagine the difference restoring someone’s sight or giving a child a functioning heart could make.
“Imagine if you are walking around heartless and you don’t 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 doing that,” he said.
Prof. Muganga also credited the Indian community for its broader economic role in Uganda through job creation, tax contributions, and investment, adding that Victoria University, part of the Ruparelia Group, was keen to deepen its involvement in future programmes.
“We don’t have green, purple, blue, yellow, orange. No, we are all Ugandans,” he said, calling on Ugandans to recognise the community’s contribution.
He also revealed plans for the university to establish what he described as the “IIT of Uganda, or even East Africa,” aimed at cutting the need for Ugandans to seek advanced technology education abroad.
Beyond the healthcare pledge, organisers previewed a packed programme for the October 3 celebration at Kololo, with Neha Kakkar’s performance expected to be the centrepiece of an evening featuring music, culture, food, and entertainment. A corporate dinner for sponsors and partners, along with further engagements with community leaders, is also planned around the main event.
The association said this year’s celebrations are designed to deepen the friendship between India and Uganda while mobilising support for healthcare initiatives, with Mr. Mehta stressing that the organisation’s giving would remain focused on projects with lasting community impact.
The announcement comes as Uganda continues to court stronger partnerships in healthcare, investment, and skills development, with anticipation building toward the October 3 showcase at Kololo.
