By Frank Kamuntu
Ugandan businessman and billionaire Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia shares an inspirational and motivational quote to youth and entrepreneurs on doing business the right way and working smart as a strategy to creating sustainable business ventures in Uganda and creating wealth.
Uganda is a country with numerous opportunities and resources if fully utilized creating wealth is simple for everybody to enjoy the country.
“We all have obstacles thrown at us. Sometimes it feels like it’s more than you can take, but you can overcome these challenges that define your true potential.
“Life is filled with difficulties and trials. But if reaching the stars were easy, then everyone would be there. This is how you can set yourself apart from the pack; by fighting past the hardships of life, the constant barriers that you find, and take use of them to build even stronger than your former self.”
Sudhir’s investments are mainly in the areas of banking, insurance, education, broadcasting, real estate, floriculture, hotels, and resorts.
He started building his empire in Uganda in 1985 after returning from the United Kingdom, when he went after being expelled from Uganda by then President Idi Amin in 1972 along with the other Asians in the country.
Recently, he kicked off the construction of the multibillion-swanky Pearl Business Park.
The mega project will encompass office premises, a shopping centre, health and leisure amenities, a 5-star hotel, and a modern hospital, among other things.
Ruparelia Group, through Meera Investments Limited, is building the 18-acre mixed-use facility on the premises of the former Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) headquarters on Yusuf Lule Road in Kampala.
The plan is to equip the facility with modern amenities such as a fully automated fire detection system on all floors and approximately 170 CCTV cameras in all public areas. In addition, the building will include internet access, a fitness centre and other health, safety and productivity utilities.
Meanwhile, on top of Pearl Business Park, Sudhir is also expanding Kabira Country Club, which is going to have a shopping mall complex attached to the hotel.
As if the above is not enough, the mogul is also planning to build a 200-room Kingdom Kampala Hotel. This is another project by Meera Investments Limited, the real estate arm of the Ruparelia Group that owns a series of hotels, country clubs, and over 300 commercial properties in and around Kampala.
Together with the government of Uganda, they built a modern convention centre at Commonwealth Speke Resort Munonyo. The centre hosts 3,000 delegates, and its first conference was the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in January 2024. The construction cost $40 million (Shs140 billion).
Some of the companies he owns are; Premier Recruitment Limited, Crane Management Services Limited, Goldstar Insurance Company Limited, Kabira Country Club, Kampala International School Uganda, Kampala Parents’ School, Kampala Speke Hotel, Meera Investments Limited – Kampala, Munyonyo Commonwealth Resort, Speke Resort and Conference Center – Munyonyo and Victoria University.
