Author: Katama Coprian
The National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) has outlined the key requirements Ugandans must present when collecting their new national IDs.According to NIRA Registrar Claire Olama, the most important document you need when reporting to a collection centre is your old national ID card. This helps officials verify your identity before issuing the new card. “When you come, you need your old card for identification,” she said. “We check it, confirm you are the rightful owner, and once your new card is ready, we take your biometrics—either your fingerprints or iris—to complete the process.” Olama clarified that after verification, the old card…
Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia widely recognized by Kampala residents as the “Landlord of Kampala” remains Uganda’s richest man and one of the most influential business figures in East Africa. His vast empire spans numerous sectors, including real estate, education, hospitality, insurance, and agriculture. He was once celebrated as the first East African to appear on Forbes’ global list of billionaires. However, his journey faced a major setback in 2016 when the Bank of Uganda took over Crane Bank, citing capital shortfalls and alleged mismanagement. After an extended legal dispute, the Supreme Court ruled in his favor in 2022, returning the bank…
Sudhir Ruparelia, born in 1956 in Kabatoro, Kasese District, Uganda, is a name that resonates with success and resilience in the real estate sector. Known as the “Kampala Landlord,” Sudhir’s journey from a small hardware shop owner to a real estate magnate is a testament to his entrepreneurial spirit, strategic thinking, and relentless pursuit of excellence. Early Life and Education Sudhir’s story begins in a middle-class Indian Gujarati family. His great-grandfather migrated from India to Uganda in 1903. Sudhir attended Bat Valley Primary School in Kampala and Jinja Secondary School. However, his education was interrupted when then-Ugandan president Idi Amin…
In a renewed display of his dedication to employee welfare and overall well-being, business mogul Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia through his five-star hotel, Speke Resort Munyonyo has once again demonstrated that a healthy team is the foundation of productivity and exceptional service. Last week, the resort, in collaboration with Nsambya Hospital, held an extensive staff health camp designed to ensure every employee maintains strong physical and mental health. The activity offered a wide range of essential medical screenings, wellness consultations, and health education sessions, with qualified medical professionals stationed right at the resort. Management emphasized that the initiative is part of…
A disturbing and tragic event unfolded at Teso Progressive Academy (TEPA) in Ngora Town Council on the morning of November 18, 2025. At about 10:37 AM, a violent confrontation ended with the death of a 20-year-old student, Okiror Gabriel, and left a teacher badly injured. Police say the situation began when the school’s director, Omugur John, called in Pte Atim Agnes of the UPDF and PC Ijobu Sylvia from Ngora Central Police Station to address disciplinary concerns involving Gabriel. The student, who had reportedly been involved in previous violent incidents and theft, had just returned to campus that same morning…
NTUNGAMO, UGANDA — What began as a solemn farewell turned into a heartbreaking tragedy on Thursday when a bolt of lightning struck mourners gathered at a burial ceremony in Ntungamo District, killing one person and leaving seven others seriously injured. According to local authorities, the incident occurred amid a sudden afternoon downpour as family members and villagers gathered to lay their loved one to rest. Without warning, lightning hit a group of mourners who were standing near the graveside, instantly claiming the life of one individual. Witnesses said the strike caused panic and chaos as people scrambled for safety. The…
Kampala, Uganda – Col. Edith Nakalema, the Head of the State House Investors Protection Unit (SHIPU), has urged Ugandans especially the youth to uphold integrity and be willing to make personal sacrifices for the country’s peace and long-term progress. She made the remarks on November 17 during a public lecture at Victoria University Kampala, an event that attracted students, lecturers, and members of the surrounding community. The discussion highlighted the growing call for civic awareness within Uganda’s higher institutions of learning. Addressing the theme of patriotism, Col. Nakalema noted that genuine commitment to Uganda requires action rather than rhetoric. She…
This December, the Ruparelia Foundation will brighten the Christmas season with acts of compassion as it launches a series of outreach activities in memory of Rajiv Ruparelia, whose kindness and humanitarian spirit impacted many lives. Under a theme centered on sharing the joy of Christmas with the less fortunate, the Foundation has organized multiple charity visits to orphanages and vulnerable communities around Kampala. The initiative is inspired by Rajiv’s generous character one defined by boundless empathy that reached across all backgrounds and circumstances. For those who knew him, giving was not merely an activity but a natural part of who…
Uganda’s renowned billionaire and business tycoon, Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia, has opened up about his modest upbringing and the key lessons that guided his path to success. In a reflective video shared on his official social media pages, he revisited his early life in the United Kingdom and the values of discipline, hard work, and persistence that shaped his journey. Dr. Ruparelia narrated how, at only twenty years old, he was able to save enough to place a deposit on his first house while living in England. “When I turned 20, I had saved about five to six thousand pounds, which…
Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia stands out as one of Uganda’s most remarkable figures. He is a self-made billionaire, a generous philanthropist, and a patriot whose work has shaped the nation’s economic growth. His achievements have created jobs, improved livelihoods, and strengthened Uganda’s development. He deserves recognition not only for his wealth, but for his unwavering commitment to building a better Uganda. After returning from the United Kingdom in the early 1980s with very little money, Dr. Sudhir began his journey by opening a small money exchange business. From that modest start, he grew what is now the Ruparelia Group one of…
