There were emotional scenes at Bukedea Teaching Hospital on Thursday when 104-year-old Esther Amoding was gifted a wheelchair by businessman Dr Sudhir Ruparelia during the ongoing Rajiv Ruparelia Memorial Free Eye Camp.
The touching moment unfolded as hundreds of patients turned up for treatment at the three-day outreach being held in tribute to the late Rajiv Ruparelia.
After receiving the wheelchair, the elderly Amoding — visibly moved by the gesture — offered heartfelt prayers for Sudhir, asking God to bless him with many more years of life.
Witnesses described the moment as one of the most emotional scenes since the start of the camp, with many patients and health workers pausing to watch the exchange.
The medical outreach, organised by the Ruparelia Foundation, is taking place at Bukedea Teaching Hospital from March 27 to 29, and is expected to benefit more than 5,000 people from Teso and neighbouring communities.
The camp is offering free eye screening, treatment, cataract surgeries and spectacles, while also supporting vulnerable patients with additional assistance.
The gift to Esther Amoding added a powerful human touch to an event already being seen as a tribute not only to Rajiv’s memory, but also to his family’s continued commitment to compassion, dignity and service to communities.
Rajiv, who passed away in May 2025, is being remembered through the medical camp as his family continues efforts to sustain his legacy through charitable initiatives.
For many in Bukedea, the image of a 104-year-old woman blessing Sudhir Ruparelia may become one of the most unforgettable moments of the memorial outreach.
