Popular Indian playback singer Neha Kakkar is set to headline India Day 2026, with the Ruparelia Group joining the event as one of its principal sponsors.
The annual celebration brings together Uganda’s Indian community and other Ugandans to celebrate Indian culture and heritage while highlighting the strong social, economic and cultural ties between Uganda and India.
Kakkar, one of India’s best-known contemporary singers, is expected to be one of the biggest attractions at this year’s celebration. She is widely recognised for her energetic performances and hit Bollywood songs and has also served as a judge on popular Indian singing reality shows, including Indian Idol.
India Day 2026 slated for October 3 at Kololo Airstrip will be headlined by Kansai Plascon Uganda, while the Ruparelia Group has been listed among the principal sponsors. Other partners include Tembo and Lifeline Steels, Airtel Uganda, TyreXpress, Travelog, Bank of Baroda Uganda, Technology Associates, Empire, Inspiring Solutions, Victoria University, Suzuki by CFAO, Africa Global Logistics and BZolutions Global Private Limited.
The annual event has grown into an important platform for cultural celebration, business networking and community engagement, bringing together members of Uganda’s Indian community, business leaders and other guests.
India Day provides an opportunity for the Indian community to showcase its traditions, music, food and culture while highlighting its contribution to Uganda’s development.
For the Ruparelia Group, the 2026 sponsorship builds on its involvement in last year’s celebrations.
The conglomerate was among the organisations that supported India Day 2025, held at Kololo Independence Grounds, where the festivities were combined with a major humanitarian initiative supporting Ugandan children born with congenital heart defects.
The initiative mobilised support for children requiring specialised cardiac surgery in India, with the first group of 50 children scheduled to travel for treatment.
The 2025 celebration also featured Indian music, traditional dances, cuisine and performances by Indian artists, alongside fundraising efforts aimed at supporting the children’s medical treatment.
The Ruparelia Group has maintained a longstanding connection with Uganda’s Indian community and has supported initiatives in healthcare, education, sports, culture and community development through its businesses and the Ruparelia Foundation.
Founded by businessman Sudhir Ruparelia, the group has investments across several sectors, including real estate, hospitality, education, insurance, agriculture and media.
Its businesses include Speke Resort and Convention Centre, Speke Hotel, Kampala Parents’ School, Kampala International School Uganda and Victoria University, among others.
Sudhir Ruparelia has also been involved in community leadership, having previously served as a trustee of the Indian Association of Uganda.
