The Indian Association of Uganda (IAU) is preparing to give this year’s Plascon India Day a strong humanitarian focus, with proceeds from the celebration expected to help fund critical medical treatment for vulnerable Ugandans.
The annual event is scheduled for October 3, 2026, at Kololo Independence Grounds in Kampala and is supported by Sudhir Ruparelia. It will bring together government officials, business leaders, members of the Indian community, corporate partners and the general public for a day of music, food, entertainment and cultural exchange.
However, alongside the festivities will be a major healthcare initiative aimed at helping children suffering from serious heart conditions as well as Ugandans affected by preventable blindness.
Speaking at the launch of the event, IAU Chairperson Paresh Mehta said organisers wanted this year’s celebration to have an impact that goes beyond entertainment and cultural activities.
“We are not only celebrating culture, music and food, but also making a meaningful difference in people’s lives,” Mehta said.
The humanitarian programme is expected to provide specialised cardiac treatment to around 160 children below the age of five who are living with severe heart conditions.
The children will travel to India for treatment, with the programme also expected to provide post-operative care to support their recovery.
The initiative will also target approximately 1,000 cataract surgeries for beneficiaries from different parts of Uganda.
For those receiving the treatment, the medical interventions could significantly change their lives, offering children with serious heart conditions a chance at better health while helping people affected by cataracts regain their sight and independence.
Mehta said the initiative reflects the Indian community’s continued commitment to Uganda’s social development while also strengthening the longstanding relationship between Uganda and India.
Founded in 1904, the Indian Association of Uganda has over the years contributed to cultural exchange, community development and cooperation between the two countries.
Kansai Plascon Uganda Ltd is among the major corporate partners supporting this year’s programme, building on its wider involvement in community development and humanitarian initiatives.
The company’s Managing Director, Dr Santosh Gumte, said Plascon’s corporate social responsibility efforts have covered areas such as healthcare, education, culture and humanitarian support.
The company has previously assisted cancer patients, hospitals and schools and participated in community renovation projects. It also supports skills development by training more than 15,000 painters every year.
Gumte said collaborations such as the partnership with IAU show how businesses can pool resources to achieve a greater impact in society.
“Last year we pledged to support 100 heart surgeries and that took place. This year we are again committing to 100 heart surgeries,” he said.
Plascon will also contribute to the cataract surgery programme being undertaken as part of India Day.
The company’s continued participation means the event is taking on a role beyond that of a corporate-sponsored cultural celebration, becoming a platform for directing private-sector resources towards practical interventions that address community needs.
Other corporate partners have also committed their support, further strengthening the business and humanitarian dimension of the event.
Tembo Steel Uganda General Manager Manish Kalla said businesses have a responsibility to support the communities where they operate.
“Tembo was there, Tembo is there, and Tembo will be there. When it comes to giving back to society, we are always there,” Kalla said.
Tembo Steel has operated in Uganda for 25 years and is joining partners such as Tyre Express Uganda, Bank of Baroda, Airtel Uganda and other companies in supporting the initiative.
Victoria University Vice-Chancellor Dr Lawrence Muganga also commended the programme, saying it demonstrates how cooperation between the Indian community, businesses and Ugandan institutions can produce tangible benefits for ordinary people.
He noted that helping someone regain their sight or giving a child with a serious heart condition an opportunity to live a healthier life creates benefits that extend well beyond the medical treatment itself.
Although healthcare will be a central part of the humanitarian programme, Plascon India Day 2026 will maintain its cultural identity, with Indian music, cuisine, entertainment and cultural performances forming part of the celebrations.
Bollywood singer Neha Kakkar is expected to headline the event, adding an international entertainment element to the occasion.
Organisers say the celebration will give Ugandans and members of the Indian community an opportunity to recognise their shared connections while providing businesses and individuals with a chance to support causes affecting communities across the country.
In this way, the event brings together two important aspects of Uganda-India relations: cultural friendship and practical cooperation.
For the organisers and corporate partners, the success of India Day 2026 will not be measured only by the size of the audience or the entertainment programme, but also by the number of people who benefit from the healthcare initiatives.
With heart surgeries for young children and cataract operations for people across Uganda at the centre of the humanitarian programme, Plascon India Day 2026 is shaping up to be a celebration where culture is paired with purpose and partnerships are translated into meaningful changes in people’s lives.
