Pakistan honours man behind free cataract surgeries in Uganda

KAMPALA - The president of the Overseas Pakistanis Global Foundation Africa (OPGFA) has been honoured for establishing a free cataract eye surgery hospital in Ntinda, a suburb of Kampala city in Nakawa Division.

The President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari, awarded the Medal of Excellence to Iftikhar Sikandar Cheema.

The Pakistan High Commissioner to Uganda, Muhammad Hassan Wazir, presented the medal to Cheema during his farewell engagements at the Pakistan High Commission in Kololo, Kampala, on May 25, 2026.

The honour recognises the foundation’s efforts in carrying out over 20,000 free eye cataract surgeries and providing comprehensive vision care to Ugandans.

The vice president of Overseas Pakistan Global Foundation Africa, Shahid Mahamood Alvi, said: “For the last 35 years over 10,000 people are living with their families in Uganda, and some have acquired citizenship.”

Shahid told New Vision that the Medal of Excellence is the fourth-highest civilian honour awarded by the Government of Pakistan.

It is a state-recognised decoration bestowed upon both Pakistani citizens and foreign nationals who have demonstrated outstanding achievements and conspicuous gallantry.

The medal is typically awarded to recognise individuals who have made meritorious contributions to the nation across various fields.

The free eye hospital built in Kampala was inaugurated by Cheema, who regularly brings in Pakistani ophthalmologists specialising in eye and vision care to perform cataract surgeries, Shahid said.

The centre works with the Ministry of Health for mobile outreach programmes and also partners with visiting ophthalmologists and NGOs for surgical eye camps in various rural districts.

This life-changing initiative brings in international specialists to help eliminate cataract blindness in Uganda by 2030, Shahid added.

Cheema speaks out

“I want to express my sincere thanks to Hassan Wazir and the entire team at the Pakistan High Commission for the support for the Pakistani community to achieve a cataract-free Uganda,” Cheema added.

“I am also very grateful to the government of Uganda and our local community members for their incredible support and warmth.”

“I accept the prestigious medal with great humility. While my name may be on this award, it does not belong to me alone; it belongs to the entire team.”

“This would have been possible without Dr Syed Zohaib’s hard work and dedication to make everything we do possible. His commitment to our cause is the engine behind everything we accomplish.”

“To date, 81,000 patients have been screened, and more than 10,000 people have had sight-restoring surgeries. Many come after they have lost eyesight for years because they cannot afford eye treatment.”

“To witness the moment the bandages are removed — to see a grandmother look at her grandchild again after years, or a father regaining his sight and providing for his family once more — that is our true reward.”

“This medal is dedicated to every patient who trusted us. It belongs to our hardworking staff in Uganda who work day and night, to our team at OPGFA, and to our generous donors.”

“I want to thank the High Commission team and staff once more for always standing by us,” he said.

“I have dedicated my whole life towards serving humanity, and I humbly ask all of you to join hands in this noble cause. I was not born in Africa, but Africa was born in me,” Cheema said.

He dedicated the medal to all the patients who trusted them, the hardworking staff in Uganda, the OPGFA team, generous donors and his family.

Mahamood Shahid Alvi, a trustee of OPGFA, revealed that preparations are complete to begin the surgeries.

He emphasised that the initiative is not only a medical outreach programme but also a symbol of the strong bilateral ties between Uganda and Pakistan.
Over $5 million invested in eye care

Shahid said OPGFA has so far invested over $5 million (sh17.8 billion) in the eye health sector. This includes the cost of land, hospital construction, purchase of advanced medical equipment and salaries for more than 10 specialised eye surgeons.

“Our long-term target is to complete 50,000 cataract surgeries across Uganda in the next ten years. We have already conducted over 7,800 surgeries and screened more than 30,000 individuals,” he said.