Members of Uganda’s Nepalese community, under the umbrella of the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA), turned out in large numbers on Sunday to donate blood in a show of solidarity with Ugandans.
The blood donation drive, held at Acacia Mall in the Nakasero-Kamwokya area, collected 80 units of blood, which were handed over to the Nakasero Blood Bank. The initiative was spearheaded by Nepal’s Honorary Consul to Uganda, businessman Sudhir Ruparelia, as part of activities to celebrate the birthday of the Kabaka of Buganda, Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II.
Organisers said the drive was in response to the Kabaka’s consistent calls for increased voluntary blood donation, particularly to support expectant mothers and patients in need of urgent transfusions.
Nepalese investors and members of the diaspora coordinated the effort through the NRNA, underscoring the association’s continued commitment to humanitarian causes both in Uganda and Nepal.
Officials from the Nakasero Blood Bank expressed appreciation for the contribution, noting that each unit collected will go a long way in saving lives amid ongoing national blood shortages. The donated blood will undergo standard screening before being distributed to health facilities across the country.
Speaking after the exercise, Ruparelia commended the Nepalese community for their generosity and willingness to support critical health initiatives in Uganda.
Participants described the event as a meaningful gesture of goodwill and friendship between the Nepalese diaspora and their Ugandan hosts.
The NRNA has previously organised similar blood donation campaigns in Uganda and is also known for larger initiatives such as the “One Province, One Mobile Blood Bus” programme aimed at strengthening blood transfusion services in Nepal.
Uganda continues to grapple with periodic blood shortages, with health authorities frequently appealing for voluntary donations. Initiatives like the Acacia Mall drive highlight the growing role of diaspora communities in addressing this pressing public health challenge.
