Author: Katama Coprian
For some of Kampala’s commuter taxis, the morning commute came to an abrupt end on Monday after traffic police launched a crackdown on vehicles whose mechanical condition appeared to be held together by little more than hope and prayer. The operation, which started at about 6:00am, targeted dilapidated 14-seater taxis commonly known as “gganyegenya” operating across Kampala, Wakiso and Mukono. Hundreds of passengers were left stranded as officers stopped taxis along major routes and removed those considered too dangerous to remain on the road. Among the routes targeted were Gayaza Road, Jinja Road, the Northern Bypass at Busega, Namugongo, Kawempe…
The National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) has warned Ugandans against two websites posing as platforms for fast national ID and certificate services.NIRA on August 24, 2026 identified the websites as niraexpress.com and nira-express-services.org. “These websites are not associated with us. These are SCAMMING websites. These are fraudsters,” NIRA said in a post on X.Screenshots shared by the authority show that the websites use NIRA-related names, branding and information to appear legitimate. One of the sites describes itself as “NIRA Express Order System” and claims to offer quick and convenient services. It displays a Kampala address, telephone number and an…
Ugandan businessman and Ruparelia Group chairman Dr Sudhir Ruparelia has received Shs2.25 billion in dividends from his investment in Bank of Baroda (Uganda) Limited following the bank’s strong financial performance during the 2025 financial year. Ruparelia received the payment through a ceremonial cheque worth Shs2,250,981,000 during a formal presentation on August 19, 2026. A photograph from the occasion showed the businessman alongside a Bank of Baroda official. The payment represents dividends earned from Ruparelia’s shareholding in the listed bank for the financial year that ended on December 31, 2025. Bank of Baroda Uganda approved a dividend of Shs6 per share…
The High Court Commercial Division has temporarily halted enforcement of a USD741,250 judgment against FBW (U) Limited and its directors, Paul Moores and Nigel Tilling, in a case brought by Meera Investments Limited, a company owned by property businessman Dr Sudhir Ruparelia. The stay of execution, however, comes with a strict financial condition. The applicants have been given 45 days to secure USD132,750, approximately Shs500 million, either by depositing the money in court or obtaining an unconditional and irrevocable on-demand bank guarantee from a reputable commercial bank licensed to operate in Uganda. Justice Susan Odongo issued the ruling electronically on…
Two-time national rally champion Ponsiano Lwakataka has moved closer to his planned return to competitive motorsport after the Ruparelia Group of Companies contributed Shs25 million toward the purchase of a new rally car. Lwakataka is raising Shs220 million to acquire a Volkswagen Proto previously owned by the late rally driver Rajiv Ruparelia. Following the latest contribution, the veteran driver still needs Shs195 million to reach his target. As part of his fundraising campaign, Lwakataka is scheduled to hold an event at Garuga next month, where he hopes to raise additional funds and officially unveil the rally car. The experienced driver…
Ugandan businessman Sudhir Ruparelia has established a significant real estate portfolio that continues to influence Kampala’s evolving commercial environment. Through years of investment in strategically located properties, he has developed office and commercial facilities used by a broad range of organisations, including private businesses and government institutions. Recent figures show that government ministries, departments and agencies collectively spend about Shs3.152 billion every month on office space in properties linked to the Ruparelia business empire. On an annual basis, that translates to roughly Shs37.8 billion, illustrating the scale of the group’s commercial property holdings. The figures also demonstrate how retaining ownership…
Uganda’s growing presence on the international economic stage is not determined solely by the size of its economy. In many cases, the businesses established within the country can play an important role in introducing Uganda to foreign investors, tourists, professionals and international organisations. One of the Ugandan entrepreneurs whose business activities have contributed to this visibility is Dr Sudhir Ruparelia. Through the diverse companies and institutions associated with the Ruparelia Group, his investments have created a footprint across several sectors that regularly interact with people from outside Uganda. Much of this exposure can be seen in Kampala, where properties linked…
Kampala Parents’ School (KPS) brought its second term to a colourful close with a lively Culture & Future Day, an event that united pupils, teachers and parents in celebrating Uganda’s diverse cultural heritage. Businessman and philanthropist Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia, the school’s proprietor, was among those who attended the Saturday celebrations, which transformed the school into a vibrant display of traditional music, dance, clothing and customs. The celebration provided pupils with an opportunity to showcase cultures from different parts of Uganda, including the Central, Eastern, Western and Northern regions, while also highlighting traditions from Southern Uganda, East Africa and other parts…
Ruparelia Group Chairman Dr Sudhir Ruparelia has underscored the important role Ugandan entrepreneurs of Asian descent play in the country’s economic development, pointing to job creation, investment, industrial growth and tax contributions as some of their major contributions. Speaking during a discussion at Crane Chambers, Ruparelia said his business group employs more than 10,000 Ugandans through its operations in sectors such as real estate, hospitality, education, floriculture and leisure. He argued that businesses owned by Ugandans of Asian origin should be regarded as important participants in the country’s economic progress rather than as competitors for employment. According to Ruparelia, the…
JINJA — Civil society organisations and child-rights advocates are calling on the Ugandan government to increase funding for the prevention and response to sexual violence against children, warning that laws and policies will have little impact if they are not supported by adequate financial resources. The call was made during a three-day retreat in Jinja organised by World Vision Uganda in partnership with the Joining Forces Coalition. The meeting brought together more than 30 stakeholders to discuss strategies for ensuring that sexual violence against children (SVAC) receives greater attention in Uganda’s 2027/28 national budget. Participants included representatives from the Uganda…
