Indian community launches blood donation drive to mark Museveni's birthday
“We thought of celebrating our beloved President’s birthday uniquely by giving back to society,” Paresh Mehta, Chairman of the Indian Association of Uganda, said.
The Indian Association of Uganda has collected about 100,000 units of blood through its donation campaigns. (Courtesy photos)
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The Indian community in Uganda, through the Indian Association of Uganda (IAU), has launched a nationwide blood donation campaign to celebrate President Yoweri Museveni’s 82nd birthday.
The humanitarian initiative, running from August 15 to September 14, 2026, seeks to support Uganda’s blood supply system through voluntary donations aimed at saving lives of patients in need of urgent transfusion.
Dubbed the Mega Blood Donation Drive, the campaign is expected to involve 82 blood donation activities across the country, representing each year of President Museveni’s life.
The association targets collecting 100,000 units of blood within one month, a milestone that will push its total contribution beyond 100,000 units since it started supporting voluntary blood donation campaigns.
“We thought of celebrating our beloved President’s birthday uniquely by giving back to society,” Paresh Mehta, Chairman of the Indian Association of Uganda, said.
“Blood donation is one of the greatest gifts because it directly saves human lives. The beauty of it is that you save somebody’s life without knowing who they are, and the receiver never knows whose blood they received. That is the true meaning of selfless service,” he said.
Mehta said the initiative is guided by the philosophy “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,” meaning “The World is One Family,” where people are encouraged to support one another regardless of their background, religion or nationality.
He said blood donation represents unity because donors give without choosing who receives their blood.
“President Museveni has provided leadership that has enabled Uganda to make progress in peace, development and creating an environment where different communities can live and work together. As a community that has been part of Uganda’s journey for many years, we appreciate this leadership,” Mehta said.
Paresh Mehta, Chairman of the Indian Association of Uganda
“Through this blood donation drive, we are giving back to the country by saving lives and strengthening the spirit of togetherness among Ugandans,” he added.
Uganda requires approximately 500,000 units of blood annually to meet the needs of patients across the country.
Children consume the largest share of blood supplies, followed by mothers facing complications during childbirth and victims of accidents and trauma.
Health experts say blood remains a unique resource because it cannot be manufactured, making voluntary donation the only reliable source of supply.
Health ministry director general of health services Dr Charles Olaro commended the initiative, saying the targeted 100,000 units would be a significant contribution towards addressing blood shortages.
Uganda Blood Transfusion Services (UBTS) executive director Dr Dorothy Kyeyune Byabazaire said there is no substitute for donated blood.
“There is no alternative to blood. Blood has to come from human beings. As of now, there is no factory that can manufacture blood,” Kyeyune said.
She said partnerships with organisations such as the Indian Association of Uganda have helped save thousands of lives, including mothers with childbirth complications, children suffering from severe anaemia, cancer and sickle cell patients, heart surgery candidates and accident victims.
She pledged UBTS support towards ensuring the success of the campaign.
“We are going to make sure that we work hard day and night to achieve this target,” she said.
The Indian Association of Uganda has collected about 100,000 units of blood through its donation campaigns.
Mehta said the latest drive is part of the association’s wider humanitarian programmes aimed at supporting Ugandan communities. “We believe service to mankind is service to God,” he said.
Since 2008, it has helped 262 children access life-saving heart surgeries, with 107 procedures completed in the last two and a half years under the current committee.
The association has also supported 245 vulnerable Ugandan children through scholarships to help them continue with their education.
Jatin Udani, Chairman of the Indian Medical Forum, Indian Association of Uganda, said the blood donation campaign is about giving people another chance at life.
“This drive is not about numbers. It is about hearts. It is about a son who gets to see his father again, a child who gets another birthday, a family that does not have to say goodbye too soon. We appeal to every able person to step forward. Be someone’s reason to live,” Udani said.
Sasi Kumar Nair, Secretary of the Indian Association of Uganda, said the campaign demonstrates the community’s commitment to supporting Ugandans through acts of compassion.
“Today we are launching the Mega Blood Drive. We are also doing charity by giving out wheelchairs to people who are disabled,” Nair said.
Mehta explained that the campaign reflects the belief that humanity is one family and that people have a responsibility to support each other regardless of where they come from.
“The whole world is one family. If someone is sick anywhere, whether in Africa, Europe or any other part of the world, it is our responsibility to help save that life. Giving blood is not about selecting who receives it; it is about helping humanity,” he said.
The campaign, which was launched as part of the birthday celebrations, has already recorded significant progress, with the Indian community collecting more than half of the targeted blood units within the first eight days of the drive.
Mehta said the beauty of blood donation is that it comes without expectations because the donor and recipient may never know each other.
“You do not donate blood expecting someone to return and thank you because you do not know whose life you have saved. Even the person receiving the blood does not know who donated it. That is what makes it a truly selfless service,” he said.
He added that through the 82 blood donation drives, the Indian community hopes to create a lasting impact by supporting hospitals and patients who depend on blood transfusions.