50 children to get heart surgery in India, KCCA warns politicians on poster placement

4 August 2025, 1:14 pm

By Ronald Ssemagonja

In a powerful show of compassion and partnership, the Indian Association Uganda, in collaboration with organizations such as Ruparelia Group, Plascon, Airtel, Rotary Kamoal Ssese Islands, and others, has launched a life-saving initiative to support children suffering from Congenital Heart Disease (CHD).

The campaign has identified 50 children who will be flown to India for specialized heart surgeries, with no cost incurred by the patients or their caretakers. Uganda records over 16,000 CHD cases annually, but the country lacks the capacity to provide surgical interventions for all affected children.

Speaking at the official send-off event in Kampala, the acting chairman of the Indian Association Uganda, Paresh Mehta, reaffirmed their commitment to this cause.

“We are sending the first batch of 12 children to India. In total, 50 children will benefit from these surgeries. Without this support, many of these children may not survive. This is a significant effort we are proud to lead, with the help of generous partners and sponsors,” he said.

The initiative is part of a broader campaign that targets over 100 surgeries, making it one of the largest efforts of its kind in Uganda.

Mehta also announced the upcoming India Day celebrations to mark India’s independence. Renowned Indian artist Guru Randhawa is set to perform at the event, with part of the proceeds going toward funding heart surgeries for more children.

“Our heartfelt gratitude goes to our sponsors like Uganda Airlines, Airtel, and Jain Samaj, whose support is making all this possible,” Mehta added.

Ritah Namyalo, founder of the Heart Healthy Foundation, emphasized the urgency of addressing CHD and encouraged early medical check-ups during pregnancy.

“This has been a persistent challenge in Uganda. One surgery costs around $5,000, which is far beyond the reach of most families. That’s why this initiative is such a blessing,” she said.

She further advised expectant mothers to seek antenatal care as early as possible to detect and manage such conditions in time.

In a separate development, the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) Executive Director, Sharifa Buzeki, has warned politicians to adhere to the authority’s guidelines regarding the placement of campaign posters.

While addressing journalists at the Uganda Media Centre, Buzeki pointed out that some candidates are putting up posters in prohibited areas.

“We urge all political actors to follow the designated guidelines for poster placement. Failure to comply will result in removal of posters,” she said.

Buzeki stressed the need for cleaner, organized public spaces as Uganda heads into an active political season.