Thousands of people turned up at Kololo Independence Grounds on Saturday for Plascon India Day 2026, an event that brought together Indian music, dance, food and culture while raising support for healthcare initiatives in Uganda.
Held on October 3, the celebration was organised by the Vishwadharma Foundation in partnership with the Indian Association Uganda, with Kansai Plascon Uganda as the headline sponsor.
The event attracted members of Uganda’s Indian community and the wider public for a day of cultural performances, exhibitions and entertainment.
The programme opened with a flag-hoisting ceremony and colourful parades, followed by activities spread across about 30 stalls showcasing Indian cuisine, cultural displays and community services.
Nearly 400 performers entertained the crowd with traditional, classical and contemporary Indian dance performances.
The celebrations were attended by Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives Sanjay Tanna, Minister of Local Government Balaam Barugahara and Minister of Information, Communications Technology and National Guidance Justine Kasule Lumumba.
Other guests included Minister of State for Energy and Mineral Development in charge of Minerals Phiona Nyamutoro and Senior Presidential Adviser Evelyn Anite.
Business leaders and community representatives were also present, including Indian Association Uganda chairman Paresh Mehta and representatives of the Ruparelia, Madhvani and Mehta business groups.
The entertainment programme reached its peak in the evening with a performance by Indian singer Neha Kakkar, who thrilled the audience with some of her popular songs before being joined on stage by her husband, singer Rohanpreet Singh.
The two performers got the crowd singing and dancing along as the cultural celebration came to an energetic close.
Healthcare commitment
Beyond the music and festivities, this year’s Plascon India Day placed significant emphasis on healthcare, with Kansai Plascon Uganda and its partners committing to support 100 heart surgeries for Ugandan children under the age of five and 1,000 cataract operations.
The commitment builds on last year’s pledge to support 100 heart surgeries, which the company said was successfully fulfilled.
“Last year we pledged to support 100 heart surgeries and that took place. This year we are again committing to 100 heart surgeries,” Kansai Plascon Uganda Managing Director Dr Santosh Gumte said ahead of the event.
Under the new programme, children with serious heart conditions will be identified for specialised treatment in India, followed by post-operative care.
The cataract initiative will target patients from different parts of Uganda who require surgery.
Gumte said the partnership with the Indian Association Uganda demonstrates how organisations can combine resources to support communities and expand access to essential services.
The company said its previous healthcare interventions had helped facilitate 265 heart surgeries. Ahead of this year’s celebration, Gumte also met some beneficiaries who had benefited from the earlier programme.
The healthcare initiative gives the annual cultural event a wider social purpose by linking the celebration of Indian culture with practical support for Ugandans facing serious health challenges.
Culture and community
Plascon India Day has increasingly become a platform for members of the Indian community to showcase their culture while engaging with the wider Ugandan public.
The event featured Indian cuisine, music, dance and cultural displays, giving visitors an opportunity to experience different aspects of Indian heritage.
The celebrations started on Friday with a corporate dinner for sponsors and partners, where violinist Amal and electric veena player Soundarya provided live instrumental performances.
The main event on Saturday brought together culture, entertainment, business and community initiatives, highlighting the longstanding relationship between Uganda and its Indian community.
For organisers and partners, the healthcare commitments added another layer to the celebrations, ensuring that the event was not only about entertainment but also about supporting children, families and patients in need of specialised medical care.