Speaker Anita Among Pledges Shs50M for Rajiv Ruparelia Memorial Eye Camp in Bukedea

Speaker of Parliament Anita Among has pledged Shs50 million to support a free eye treatment camp organised by the Ruparelia Foundation in Bukedea District, an initiative dedicated to the memory of the late Rajiv Ruparelia who died in a road accident last year.

The announcement was made on Tuesday evening at Kabira Country Club during the official launch of the RR Eye Camp Bukedea, which is scheduled to run from March 27 to 29 at Bukedea Teaching Hospital. The camp is expected to screen at least 2,000 patients, conduct around 300 cataract surgeries and distribute more than 800 pairs of glasses at no cost to patients.

“You chose the right place. Rajiv was very dear to me,” Ms Among said, before committing the support of Bukedea Teaching Hospital, the Anita Foundation and local leaders to ensure the outreach succeeds.

Rajiv, son of businessman Sudhir Ruparelia, died in May last year following a tragic accident along Busabala Road in Kampala. His mother, Jyotsna Ruparelia, told guests at the launch that Rajiv had personally pushed for the eye camp just weeks before he passed away.

“He messaged me in March last year and said, ‘Mom, just fix the date for the eye camp and I will do the rest,'” she said. “Little did I know that I would be standing here today without him.”

Jyotsna, a director at the Ruparelia Group, said the family draws strength from continuing the work Rajiv believed in. “Losing Rajiv is the greatest pain our family has ever experienced. But what gives us strength is continuing the spirit of generosity he stood for,” she said.

Unlike typical outreaches that refer patients to urban hospitals, the camp will set up fully equipped surgical theatres directly at Bukedea Teaching Hospital, removing the burden of travel from patients in surrounding communities.

Dr. Grace Ssali, an ophthalmologist from Mulago National Referral Hospital, said cataracts remain the leading cause of blindness in Uganda, with surgery in private facilities costing up to Shs5 million per eye. She revealed that during a previous outreach in Bukedea last year, her team identified more than 200 patients who needed surgery but could not afford it.

“This time we are grateful that the Ruparelia Group and other sponsors are helping us conduct these surgeries in Bukedea,” Dr. Ssali said.

The camp will also screen for glaucoma and conduct 50 specialised surgeries on children whose sight can still be saved with timely intervention. “If we delay, the blindness may become permanent,” Dr. Ssali warned.

The initiative has received support from Mulago Hospital, Joban Group, SINO Uganda, Mbale Industrial Park, Krisha International, Dembe Goldstar Insurance, Swastik Pharmaceuticals, Kabira Country Club, the Indian Association, Midas Floors, C-Care, Royal Pharma, Pepsi, Win World Impex, Gittoes Pharmaceuticals, Lato, Abacus, Sanyu FM and Rene Industries.

“A child can return to school, a parent can work again and an elderly person can regain independence,” Jyotsna said. “For thousands of people, a simple surgery or a pair of glasses can completely transform their lives.”