The Vice Chancellor of Victoria University Kampala, Lawrence Muganga, paid a touching tribute to the late Rajiv Ruparelia. He said the young entrepreneur’s legacy lives on through the many lives his family continues to support.
Prof. Muganga spoke during the official launch of the RR Eye Camp Bukedea at Kabira Country Club. This outreach program, organized by the Ruparelia Foundation, aims to screen at least 2,000 patients and perform hundreds of eye surgeries at Bukedea Teaching Hospital between March 27 and March 29.
Prof. Muganga mentioned that this initiative shows the kind of impact Rajiv would have appreciated. He noted that some of the children benefiting from the program could someday attend Victoria University.
For the Vice Chancellor, this outreach is much more than just a medical effort. Restoring a child’s vision can lead to a brighter future, especially for many young people in the Teso Sub-Region, where poor eyesight has often hindered access to quality education.
He stressed that vision is vital for shaping a person’s opportunities, stating that being able to see enables individuals to move forward and reach for their goals. Without sight, many possibilities remain out of reach.
Prof. Muganga said that when a child gets their eyesight back through treatment, the positive effects go beyond the hospital. With improved vision, a young person can return to school and eventually pursue higher education.
He also pointed out the strong connection between Victoria University and communities in Eastern Uganda. Currently, he shared, 473 students from the region many of whom are nurses advancing from registered to degree level are enrolled at the university. He recognized the Sudhir Ruparelia family for making these opportunities possible through affordable tuition and scholarship programs.
During the university’s graduation ceremony last year, he explained, the family announced 100 scholarships for academically gifted but financially challenged Ugandans. He described this gesture as deeply valued by the institution.
Victoria University will be actively involved in the eye camp as well. Prof. Muganga announced that the university will send 80 students studying nursing, midwifery, and pharmacy to Bukedea to assist the medical teams over the three-day program. This deployment will allow the students to gain hands-on experience while working alongside experienced doctors and surgeons.
He stated that the students will take part in various activities, including patient examinations, assisting in surgical procedures, dispensing medication, and helping care for those receiving treatment.
In closing, Prof. Muganga reflected on the lasting influence of Rajiv Ruparelia. He noted that the scale of the eye camp shows how a person’s impact can endure even after they have passed away.
He said that if even one child regains their vision, continues their education, and ultimately joins the university, it would be a meaningful tribute to Rajiv’s legacy.
