Kampala’s commercial property sector is experiencing a subtle yet important shift, with two prominent figures Sudhir Ruparelia and Haji Muhammad Matovu Yanga emerging at the heart of this transformation. Both businessmen have been honored among the Best Business Landlords of the Year 2025, a distinction that reflects not only their personal accomplishments but also the rising demand for professionalism and accountability in the city’s expanding real estate industry.
The award, issued by a coalition of urban development experts and tenant-welfare advocates, marks a broader push toward responsible property management in Kampala. According to organizers, the recognition is reserved for landlords who consistently provide safe, well-kept, and accessible commercial spaces, while maintaining respectful and supportive relationships with their tenants. The goal is to encourage higher standards in the sector as the need for quality business premises continues to grow.
For Sudhir Ruparelia, Chairman of the Ruparelia Group, the accolade reinforces his long-standing role in shaping Kampala’s modern commercial landscape. His extensive property portfolio spanning office blocks, shopping centres, hotels, and housing developments
has significantly influenced the city’s appearance. Tenants praise his transparent, business-friendly practices, citing clear rental terms and continued reinvestment in renovations, repairs, and facility improvements. During economic challenges, he has also been applauded for helping small traders and maintaining favourable business environments.
Haji Matovu Yanga, a major force in downtown Kampala whose arcades house thousands of small and micro-enterprise operators, is recognized for his efforts to create orderly, secure, and functional trading areas. Properties such as Yanga Plaza and Yanga Mall are known for efficient management, improved hygiene, and strengthened security. Traders commend his quick response to tenant concerns and his dedication to offering affordable commercial space qualities considered rare in the city’s crowded, highly competitive real estate scene.
Urban analysts observe that the recognition of these two influential tycoons comes at a time when Kampala is facing rapid growth, heightened rental demand, and calls for more predictable interactions between landlords and tenants. The award aims to encourage a culture in which property owners prioritize reinvestment, transparency, and safety principles that are often missing in older commercial hubs.
The achievements of Sudhir and Yanga, both key players in Kampala’s real estate economy, highlight a shift toward more professional property management practices. Their recognition is expected to motivate other landlords to modernize their buildings, respond more effectively to tenant needs, and adopt globally recognized standards of management.
The two will formally receive their awards later this month at an event that will gather city officials, real estate experts, and business leaders. The ceremony will celebrate not only their contributions but also the growing movement toward a more organized, tenant-focused commercial property market in Uganda’s capital.
