A deeply moving scene unfolded at Bukedea Teaching Hospital on Sunday as the three-day Rajiv Ruparelia memorial free eye health camp drew to a close, leaving behind not just restored sight but renewed hope.
What began as a medical outreach transformed into a powerful human story, as thousands flocked to the facility in search of eye care services, many receiving treatment for the first time in years.
The most poignant moment came when businessman Sudhir Ruparelia stepped forward to change one life in a way that silenced the entire crowd.
In a quiet but profoundly emotional gesture, he donated a wheelchair to 104-year-old Esther Amoding an act that spoke volumes beyond words.
For years, Amoding had lived confined within the walls of her home, her world shrinking with each passing day. Frail and unable to walk, and without the means to acquire a wheelchair, she endured a life of isolation, cut off from community and movement. But on that day, her story took a different turn.
As Sudhir gently presented the wheelchair to her, time seemed to stand still. Overcome with emotion, the centenarian’s eyes welled with tears as she clasped her hands in gratitude, her voice trembling with a prayer that resonated deeply with all who witnessed it.
“May you live for many more years to keep helping your people,” she said – words that hung in the air like a blessing.
Her moment was one among many at the camp, which served as a lifeline for scores of beneficiaries.
Romano Akure Omutoj, a retired radio broadcaster formerly with Radio Uganda, now Uganda Broadcasting Corporation, reflected on a career cut short by failing eyesight. He said the availability of such specialised services earlier in his life might have changed his path.
“Had such specialist eye camps been available earlier, I would have received help,” he said, moments after receiving treatment and a new pair of glasses. “Still, I thank my daughter, Anita Annet Among, for bringing this service closer to us.”
Omutoj’s gratitude echoed that of many, including Celestine Apeet, who beamed with relief after receiving free medication and reading glasses.
“They have saved me from travelling to Tororo,” she said. “Today, I have received treatment at no cost.”
For others like Justine Inyalio, the camp bridged a gap that once seemed insurmountable. Previously referred to Mbale for treatment he could not afford, he finally accessed the care he needed right at his doorstep.
As the curtains fell on the outreach, the impact was unmistakable: beyond the numbers, it was a testament to compassion, dignity, and the quiet power of giving one life, one story, at a time.
The medical camp organised by the Ruparelia Foundation, held from March 27 to 29, attracted patients from across Teso and Bugisu sub-regions. Hundreds turned up daily, including children and the elderly, seeking treatment for various eye conditions.
Medical teams conducted 507 cataract surgeries, restoring sight of 306 males and 201 females. The children who received surgeries were 34.
In addition, over 1,000 pairs of spectacles were distributed, alongside screenings and consultations. There was also a blood donation drive.
During the event, an ambulance was handed over to the people of Bukedea, donated by the Among and Kachumbala County MP-elect David Beecham Okwere.
The initiative is part of efforts by the Ruparelia family to commemorate their late son, Rajiv Ruparelia, who died in a car crash last May at the Busabala Flyover along the Entebbe Expressway.
“Rajiv was someone who always went beyond the norm, and that is why we are here,” said his sister, Sheena Ruparelia.
Sheena added, “Most medical camps only screen patients and leave them to find treatment on their own. For us, we screen and treat.”
When asked about the cost of organising the camp, Sheena emphasised impact over expenditure. “It’s not about how much we have spent, but the difference we are making in peoples’ lives.”
Sh50m contribution, cultural integration;
During the event, Sudhir announced a contribution of sh50m to the Iteso Cultural Union. The donation is expected to boost the institution’s social and cultural programs, reinforcing a long-term partnership between the Ruparelia family and Teso people.
The businessman said that philanthropy is deeply rooted in both his personal values and cultural background. “In our tradition, what the right hand gives, the left should not know,” he said.
Reflecting on the outreach in Bukedea, he added: “we feel at home here-the air is fresh, the food is organic, and the people are happy.”
In a ceremony steeped in Iteso tradition, Sudhir and his wife, Jyotsna Ruparelia, were formally welcomed into the Teso community.
Sudhir, who is the Chairman of the Ruparelia Group, was given the name “Eminat Sudhir.” by Paul Sande Emolot, the Emorimor (Paramount Chief) of the Iteso.
Lawrence Muganga, the Victoria University vice chancellor commended the Ruparelia family for the initiative, describing his friend Rajiv as a compassionate individual who cared about humanity.
This marks the fourth annual eye camp organised by Ruparelia Foundation, following earlier in Kampala city and Kamuli district.
Statistics;
Uganda’s eye health is a pressing concern, with an estimated 2.5 million people living with moderate to severe visual impairment and over 150,000 completely blind.
Cataracts account for over 57% of blindness cases, while conditions like glaucoma and uncorrected refractive errors affect millions.
The country is also faced with the challenge of eye care professionals, with only 40-60 ophthalmologists serving a population over 45 million people.
The Ministry of Health raised concern of rising cataract cases, particularly among people over the age of 50.
Sight savers, an international charity, warns that Uganda’s eye health system is underfunded and under-prioritised, leaving many at risk of blindness.
