Plascon MD Santosh Gumte recognized for social responsibility

KAMPALA, Uganda — Kansai Plascon Managing Director Santosh Gumte has been honored by the East Indian Cultural Association for his leadership in community development and corporate social responsibility during the annual Holi musical festival.

The award, presented at Kampala Parents School, recognizes Plascon’s financial and logistical support for EICA initiatives, specifically those targeting cancer awareness and medical outreach in rural Uganda. The festival served as a corporate-community bridge, leveraging the cultural celebration to address public health challenges.

Gumte, who accepted the award on behalf of the paint manufacturer, said the company’s involvement is part of a broader strategy to integrate social impact into its regional operations.

“Kansai Plascon’s involvement reflects its commitment to community development and social responsibility, particularly initiatives that create awareness around important health issues such as cancer,” Gumte said.

The partnership comes as health advocates in Uganda call for increased private sector involvement in medical education. Many cancer cases in the country are currently diagnosed at advanced stages due to a lack of screening infrastructure in villages. EICA outreach programs, supported by Plascon, aim to close this gap by funding mobile awareness campaigns.

The event featured a performance by Bollywood singer Shraddha Pandit and drew a large delegation of business leaders from the Indian diaspora. For Plascon, the sponsorship reinforces its position as a key stakeholder in Uganda’s cultural and social landscape, moving beyond traditional manufacturing to high-visibility community advocacy.

The East Indian Cultural Association noted that corporate partnerships like the one with Plascon are essential for sustaining long-term outreach that travels beyond urban centers into Uganda’s rural communities.