Gift of life International (GOLI) and Ugandan Rotarians have launched a five-day programme that will see 20 children receive cardiac surgery at the Uganda Heart Institute (UHI) at Mulago hospital.

The programme, dubbed, 'Our hearts are in Uganda' is the ninth of its kind in Uganda, having been initiated by GOLI in 2009. It aims to aid UHI to provide over 200 children with open and closed heart surgeries.

"These training missions are aimed at equipping Ugandan doctors with skills so that cardiac care is more available and affordable to Ugandans," said Rob Raviman, Executive Director of GOLI.

This year, the program has visiting surgeons from Riley Hospital for Children in Indiana, USA. But although GOLI has given grants worth $200,000 (Shs 512m), UHI says it will be hit by the recent suspension of aid by key donors, because of rampant government corruption.

Dr Mark Turrentine, Riley's lead surgeon, called for continued support from companies and the government.