KAMPALA, Uganda : The founder of the Suman Foundation, Venkatesh Manepalli, has commended the Ruparelia family for their continued commitment to transforming lives through philanthropic initiatives, particularly their recent prosthetic leg donation drive.
Manepalli made the remarks on the sidelines of an event held on May 3, 2026, at the Mulago National Referral Hospital Complex Orthopaedic Workshop. During the event, more than 20 prosthetic legs were donated to beneficiaries ranging from children to adults living with mobility challenges.
He described the initiative as strategic and impactful, noting that it offers amputees a renewed opportunity to regain mobility and actively contribute to national development.
“We are joining this gathering in remembrance of our family friend, Rajiv Ruparelia, who left us. We pledge to continue advancing his legacy,” Manepalli said.
The donation drive follows a recent eye care outreach by the Ruparelia Foundation in Bukedea District, which helped over 5,000 Ugandans regain their vision. According to Manepalli, the foundation’s shift toward addressing mobility challenges demonstrates its ongoing commitment to holistic community transformation.
The Free Prosthetic Leg Donation Drive aims to provide 100 prosthetic legs to individuals across the country. The initiative seeks to restore independence, dignity, and opportunity for amputees, many of whom face significant barriers to earning a livelihood due to physical and social challenges.
The program is being conducted in memory of Rajiv Ruparelia, son of Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia and a trustee of the Ruparelia Foundation. Rajiv is remembered as a passionate advocate for community impact, whose legacy of compassion and service continues to inspire life-changing initiatives across Uganda.
One of the beneficiaries, Nangobi Cissy from Kamuli District, expressed her gratitude, saying the support had restored her hope.
“I had lost hope of continuing with my income-generating activities due to my mobility challenges. With this opportunity, I will work hard to ensure my family prospers,” she said.
Established in 2012 by Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia and his wife, the Ruparelia Foundation is driven by the belief that collective effort can create meaningful change. Guided by its catchphrase, “Enriching Lives Together,” the foundation has, for over a decade, partnered with stakeholders across sectors to uplift communities throughout Uganda.
Its focus areas include healthcare, education, sports, wildlife and environmental conservation, disaster relief, entrepreneurship, and general welfare.
Through its initiatives, the foundation aims not only to address immediate community needs but also to implement sustainable solutions that create long-term impact.
