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 to his ownership.
Even so, Crane Bank represented only a fraction of his wide-ranging investments. Today, Dr. Ruparelia’s footprint is evident across Uganda from luxury hotels and modern residential buildings to international schools and export-oriented agricultural ventures. He continues to oversee one of the most diversified and profitable private portfolios on the continent, creating thousands of jobs and contributing significantly to Uganda’s economy each year.
1. Speke Group of Hotels
The Speke Group stands at the heart of Ruparelia’s hospitality ventures. It encompasses many of Uganda’s most prestigious hotels and lodges, including Kabira Country Club, Speke Resort Munyonyo, Speke Hotel, Forest Cottages, and Dolphin Suites Bugolobi. These destinations have become iconic for both leisure tourism and high-end business travel.
2. Crane Management Services
Founded in 1996, Crane Management Services provides real estate management and consultancy for both Ruparelia Group properties and external clients. The company manages residential, commercial, and industrial buildings in major towns such as Kampala, Mbale, Mbarara, and Jinja.
3. Premier Roses Limited
Located in Entebbe, Premier Roses is Uganda’s top producer and exporter of roses, commanding nearly 40% of the country’s flower export market. The company grows over ten varieties of roses on twelve hectares using advanced hydroponic technology and supplies premium flowers to Europe and beyond.
4. Goldstar Insurance Company Limited
Goldstar Insurance is one of the country’s prominent insurers, offering a wide range of general insurance solutions to government institutions, businesses, and individuals. Its services cover industrial, commercial, and personal risk protection.
5. Kampala International School Uganda (KISU)
Established in 1993, KISU provides an international curriculum for children aged two to eighteen. Situated in Bukoto, it has grown into one of Uganda’s top-tier international schools, boasting state-of-the-art facilities and strong academic performance.
6. Kampala Parents School
Purchased in 2004, Kampala Parents School is among the most respected private primary schools in Uganda. Based in the Nakawa Division, it follows the national curriculum and is well known for producing top performers in national examinations.
7. Victoria University Kampala
Dr. Ruparelia took over Victoria University in 2013 and has since transformed it into one of the country’s most dynamic private universities. It offers diploma, undergraduate, and postgraduate programs in business, law, health sciences, and ICT. The university is also becoming a hub for innovation and digital learning.
8. Premier Recruitment Limited
Premier Recruitment connects Ugandans to job opportunities both locally and overseas. The company focuses on key sectors including hospitality, oil and gas, construction, marketing, and security. It plays a vital role in youth employment and skills development.
9. Sanyu FM 88.2
Sanyu FM one of Uganda’s pioneering private radio stations—continues to dominate Kampala’s urban radio scene. Known for its modern music and youthful appeal, it attracts both young listeners and corporate audiences, strengthening the media arm of the Ruparelia Group.
10. VCON Construction Uganda Limited
VCON Construction is the civil engineering and construction arm of the Ruparelia Group. It undertakes large-scale projects for both government and private clients and emphasizes modern, durable, and sustainable building solutions.
From real estate and banking to education and media, Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia’s enterprises have transformed Uganda’s economic landscape. His rise from a teenage exile during the Idi Amin era to one of Africa’s most powerful billionaires remains an inspiring story for aspiring entrepreneurs across the continent.
