Jinja: Iganga District Chairman, Mr. Ezra Gabula, was today presented with a wheelchair that had been intended for a poor disabled lady in Jinja City.
At the launch of an ongoing intensive health camp organized by the Indian Community of Jinja in partnership with the Indo-Africa Organization and other partners, the MC announced that among the recipients of the wheelchairs was an elderly lady and two of her disabled relatives from a village.
However, before the lady could receive the wheelchairs, the RDC of Jinja District, Mr. Gulume Balyaino, who was an official at the event, discreetly instructed the MC, the Jinja Southern Division Mayor, Mr. Ashraf Nasser, to announce that the elderly lady would receive two wheelchairs, with one being allocated to Mr. Gabula, the Chairperson of Iganga District.
It might have seemed that, given his position and budget to facilitate his needs, Mr. Gabula should not have taken from the resources meant to help those in dire need.
“His current wheelchair is in poor condition, whereas this one appears to be more flexible,” Mr. Gulume commented, pointing to the wheelchair that had already been taken from the intended elderly lady.
Delighted with his new acquisition, Mr. Gabula expressed his gratitude for the wheelchair.
“I am Ezra Gabula, the district chairperson of Iganga. I want to thank the Indo-Africa Organization and the Indian Association for the donation of this wheelchair. I also want to appreciate RDC Mr. Gulume for communicating this to me and for obtaining it on my behalf. I am truly grateful to the Indian Association and Mr. Gulume. Thank you very much,” he said over a phone loudspeaker.
The day’s MC, Mr. Ashraf, then stated that the incident exemplified the NRM’s strategy of service delivery to the people.
The nine-day medical camp at Busoga Square in Jinja City began on Monday and was officially opened today, Thursday, midmorning, by the Busoga Kingdom’s second deputy prime minister, Owekitibwa Osman Noor Ahmed.
Commenting on the diversion of the wheelchair, Indo-Africa President Vasant Lakhani said, “Our role is to help people in any form and situation. We can accept it as it is.”
Mr. Piyush Kotecha, the chairperson of the Indian Community in Jinja, mentioned that they have sufficient wheelchairs to distribute to those who missed out.
“We were supposed to give out 20 wheelchairs, but so far, we have only distributed five. Anyone who missed out will receive one in the future,” he said.
The event, named the “Jinja Primary Care Camp,” offers free dental care, eye care, pediatric care, general treatment, orthopedic services, and gynecology. It has attracted people from various districts, including Jinja, Buikwe, Iganga, and Kamuli.
In his opening remarks, Owekitibwa Osman highlighted Busoga’s numerous health challenges and commended the Indian community for their charitable and humanitarian efforts.
“The Indian community has supported Busoga Kingdom on several occasions. They even supported the Royal wedding. I was surprised to see them providing food to our patients and caretakers throughout the camp,” Osman said.
The prime minister, who mobilized Busoga subjects for medical check-ups, urged the Indian community to collaborate with the Busoga Health Forum, a health organization in the Busoga Kingdom, for effective health service delivery.
“We have a health organization in Busoga called the Busoga Health Forum. I encourage the Indian Community to engage with them to enhance health services for the people of Busoga,” he added.
Mr. Piyush stated that they expect to attend to over 40,000 people with various health issues. He emphasized that the camp aims to serve the community as they are also part of Busoga.
“This camp’s primary purpose is to serve the community because we are part of Busoga, and we want people both inside and outside Busoga to benefit from our services,” Mr. Piyush told reporters.
This is the fifteenth health camp organized by the Indian Community in Uganda, led by the Indo-Africa Charitable Society. Mr. Vasant Lakhani, the president of Indo-Africa, noted that they have previously conducted similar camps in Jinja, Iganga, Busesa, Kamuli, and other parts of Uganda.
“Last year in Buwenge, Jinja, we treated over 16,000 patients. This time, we expect even more people to attend the camp,” Mr. Lakhani said.
He highlighted that their efforts extend beyond medical camps, including various donations. They have also conducted similar initiatives in Tororo, Apac, Kasese, Bududa, and other parts of Karamoja.
Elifazi Waguma, a senior citizen from Mukwanya Road Village in Njeru Municipality, Buikwe District, is one of the beneficiaries who received a wheelchair. He expressed his gratitude, saying he has no way to thank the Indians but hopes that the Lord will bless them.
“I have sight problems and came to see if I could get help. I am happy to have received a wheelchair because I cannot move,” said Maka Maimuna, another beneficiary.
