Business magnate Dr Sudhir Ruparelia has donated Shs50 million to the Iteso Kingdom during the closing ceremony of the Rajiv Ruparelia Memorial Free Eye Camp at Bukedea Teaching Hospital, marking a powerful end to the three-day medical outreach.
In a rare cultural honour, the Emorimor of Teso, Paul Sande Emolot, formally inducted Sudhir and his wife into the Iteso community in recognition of their philanthropic work. Sudhir was bestowed with the name “Eminat Sudhir,” symbolising his bond with the people of Teso.
The ceremony drew large crowds as thousands of patients who had turned up for treatment witnessed the symbolic moment, which blended culture, gratitude, and humanitarian impact.
The eye camp, organised by the Ruparelia Foundation in memory of the late Rajiv Ruparelia, attracted thousands of patients from across Eastern Uganda, many of whom received free eye screening, treatment, cataract surgeries, and spectacles.
The closing event also saw additional support extended to the region, with a brand-new ambulance handed over to the people of Bukedea. The ambulance was donated by Speaker of Parliament Anita Annet Among and Kachumbala County MP-elect David Beecham Okwere, further strengthening healthcare access in the area.
The outreach, which ran for three days, has been widely praised for not only restoring sight but also reaching vulnerable communities that often struggle to access specialised medical care.
Sudhir’s donation to the Iteso Kingdom and his cultural recognition underscored the deepening relationship between the Ruparelia family and the people of Teso — a bond forged through service and sustained by continued community investment.
The memorial eye camp, held in honour of Rajiv Ruparelia, has now been confirmed as a biennial initiative, ensuring that his legacy of compassion, philanthropy, and community transformation continues to impact lives across Uganda.
