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 Asian community represents a relatively small proportion of Uganda’s population but has established substantial investments in areas including manufacturing, property development, hospitality and other industries.
He also highlighted the significant tax contributions generated by businesses within his group. Ruparelia said paying taxes is not only a statutory requirement but also part of his responsibility as a Ugandan and business owner.
He revealed that one company within the group contributes roughly Shs2.5 billion in Value Added Tax every month, which amounts to about Shs30 billion annually. The company also contributes an estimated Shs30 billion each year in corporation tax.
Ruparelia added that the group’s real estate businesses contribute more than Shs12 billion in taxes, alongside VAT payments estimated at between Shs9 billion and Shs10 billion.
The group’s contributions to government revenue also extend beyond VAT and corporation tax. Its businesses remit withholding taxes, employee-related statutory deductions and other applicable government charges.
Ruparelia attributed the ability to manage such a large and diverse business portfolio to professional management, financial discipline and clear organisational structures.
He explained that individual companies within the group have their own management and accounting teams, enabling specialists to focus on specific areas without interfering with responsibilities handled by other professionals.
Using the education sector as an example, he said school administrators should concentrate on providing quality education, while qualified financial teams take responsibility for accounting, budgeting and financial management.
The businessman also acknowledged Uganda’s economic progress over the years, citing improvements in infrastructure, industrialisation, property development and local manufacturing as signs of a changing economy.
He pointed to the growing presence of locally produced goods in supermarkets as evidence that Uganda’s manufacturing sector has continued to develop.
Reflecting on his own entrepreneurial journey, Ruparelia said passion, discipline and sound management have played a central role in building and sustaining his businesses.
He explained that he prefers to invest in areas he is genuinely interested in because passion gives entrepreneurs the motivation needed to remain committed, particularly when businesses encounter challenges.
At the age of 70, Ruparelia said he continues to maintain a relatively modest lifestyle while remaining actively involved in his business interests. He also serves as Nepal’s Honorary Consul in Uganda, a role through which he assists Nepali citizens and helps strengthen relations between Uganda and Nepal.
The discussion also reflected on the life and achievements of his late son, Rajiv Ruparelia, whose death has had a profound effect on Uganda’s business community.
Ruparelia described Rajiv as a promising young entrepreneur whose accomplishments continue to inspire others despite his life being cut short.
The remarks come ahead of a planned event commemorating Rajiv’s life and legacy on August 29 at Speke Resort Munyonyo. The programme is being organised by Pan African Pyramid.
Overall, Ruparelia’s comments highlighted the broader contribution of private businesses to Uganda’s development. He pointed to employment, investment, tax payments, industrialisation and business expansion as key ways through which entrepreneurs contribute to the national economy.
