By Infora Media
Kampala: The Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among, has contributed Shs50 million to support the upcoming Rajiv Ruparelia Memorial Eye Camp, a free medical outreach aimed at restoring sight to thousands of patients in eastern Uganda.
The donation was announced during the official launch in Kampala, organised by the Ruparelia Foundation, which is spearheading the three-day outreach scheduled for March 27–29 at Bukedea Teaching Hospital.
The camp will provide free eye screening, cataract diagnosis, corrective glasses, and cataract surgeries for patients requiring specialised treatment.
Ms Among, who also represents Bukedea District as Woman MP, praised the Ruparelia family for continuing the legacy of the late Rajiv Ruparelia, a philanthropist known for supporting education, healthcare, and youth programmes.
“This initiative will help many people who have been living with untreated eye problems due to financial challenges or lack of access to specialised treatment,” she said.
She urged partnerships between private organisations and community leaders, noting that collaborative efforts are key to reaching underserved populations.
The outreach is expected to attract patients from Bukedea and neighbouring districts, including Soroti, Mbale, Tororo, Gulu, and Lira.
Medical specialists from Mulago National Referral Hospital and healthcare provider C-Care will lead the screening and surgical procedures.
Health experts say cataracts and untreated refractive errors remain among the leading causes of preventable blindness in Uganda, particularly in rural areas where access to ophthalmologists is limited.
“By bringing specialists directly to Bukedea, we hope to restore sight and improve the quality of life for hundreds of patients,” said Dr Sudhir Ruparelia, chairman of the Ruparelia Group.
The camp is being organised in memory of Rajiv Ruparelia, the late managing director of the Ruparelia Group, whose philanthropic work helped improve access to healthcare and education in Uganda.
“Rajiv believed strongly in giving back to society. Through this eye camp, we continue his vision of helping communities access essential services,” Dr Sudhir Ruparelia added.
Organisers have said the outreach will screen thousands of patients and perform hundreds of cataract surgeries. The programme is also expected to become a biennial outreach, expanding to other regions in the coming years.
Officials have called on local leaders and health workers to mobilise residents experiencing vision problems to attend the camp. Early diagnosis and treatment, they say, are critical to preventing avoidable blindness.
“Restoring someone’s sight does not just change an individual’s life; it improves the wellbeing of entire families and communities,” said Hon. Among.
Patients with blurred vision, eye pain, or other eye-related conditions are encouraged to attend the free medical camp at Bukedea Teaching Hospital