The second Heart & Soul Rendezvous will take place on November 14 at Premier Gardens in Kigo, supporting the Mengo Hospital Rotary Blood Bank amid Uganda’s persistent blood supply gap.
Ecobank has returned as headline sponsor of the Heart & Soul Rendezvous, a charity event aimed at supporting blood collection, screening and storage through the Mengo Hospital Rotary Blood Bank.
The second edition of the invite-only gathering is scheduled for November 14, 2026, at Premier Gardens in Kigo, where guests will enjoy soul, jazz and R&B music while supporting efforts to improve access to safe blood for patients across Uganda.
Organisers say the event will combine entertainment and fundraising with public awareness about the importance of voluntary blood donation, as hospitals continue to depend on reliable supplies to treat patients facing emergencies and serious illnesses.
According to figures shared by the Uganda Blood Transfusion Services (UBTS), the country is projected to require about 450,000 units of blood annually but collects approximately 300,000, leaving a shortfall of about 150,000 units.
Other estimates put annual demand at around 400,000 units, although both figures point to pressure on the country's blood supply.
Blood is essential for patients with pregnancy-related complications, children suffering from severe malaria and anaemia, accident victims, surgical patients and people living with conditions such as cancer and sickle cell disease.
Women experiencing pregnancy-related complications account for a substantial share of blood demand, while children under five require transfusions in cases of severe malaria and other conditions that cause life-threatening anaemia.
Road crashes, particularly during busy festive periods, can also increase demand for emergency transfusions, putting additional pressure on blood banks and health facilities.
Voluntary blood donation remains central to meeting this need. Regular donors help maintain supplies, which must be collected, screened and stored before they can be used safely in hospitals.
The World Health Organisation recommends that countries work towards collecting blood equivalent to at least one per cent of their populations' needs, while promoting voluntary, unpaid donations as the foundation of a safe and sustainable blood supply.
The Mengo Hospital Rotary Blood Bank is supported by a community of volunteers, medical professionals and long-term donors who contribute to the collection and availability of blood for patients.
A documentary accompanying this year's Rendezvous will feature people involved in the blood bank's work, including long-term voluntary donors, highlighting their experiences and the importance of consistent donations.
Organisers say the gathering will provide an opportunity to recognise those who contribute to blood donation efforts and encourage more people to support the cause.
Guests can expect live music and networking, with the event also drawing attention to the patients and families whose lives depend on access to safe blood.
Through its sponsorship, Ecobank is supporting an initiative that links a social gathering with a public health priority.
The organisers are encouraging guests to look beyond the entertainment and consider how sustained community support can help strengthen Uganda's blood supply.