Blog

In Uganda today, many young people are searching for role models who can guide them on how to succeed in life and in business. While there are many successful figures to look up to, one name stands out above most: Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia. He is not only Uganda’s richest man but also a symbol of resilience, creativity, and vision. His story shows that success is possible when determination meets hard work, and there is a lot the youth of Uganda can learn from him.

Starting from Humble Beginnings

Sudhir’s story did not begin with wealth. As a young man, he and his family were forced into exile in the 1970s after the expulsion of Asians from Uganda. Living in the United Kingdom, he worked small jobs to survive and managed to save some money. By the time he returned to Uganda in the 1980s, he had only 25,000 dollars in savings. With that modest amount, he started a small business. That small step marked the beginning of what would later become the Ruparelia Group, one of the biggest business empires in East Africa.

For Ugandan youth, this is an important lesson. You do not need to come from a wealthy background to succeed. What matters is how you use the little you have. Even a small idea, when handled with discipline and effort, can grow into something big.

The Power of Hard Work and Risk-Taking

Another lesson from Sudhir’s journey is the value of hard work and the courage to take risks. He was never afraid to try new ventures. From starting Uganda’s first private foreign exchange bureau to establishing Crane Bank, and later investing heavily in real estate, education, and hospitality, Sudhir always looked ahead with confidence.

Many young people today shy away from risks because they fear failure. But Sudhir’s story shows that calculated risks can open doors. Not every project will succeed, but those who keep trying eventually build a path that leads to growth.

Diversification and Long-Term Thinking

One reason Sudhir has stayed on top of Uganda’s business world is diversification. He did not stick to one business alone. Through the Ruparelia Group, he expanded into different sectors, including real estate, education, floriculture, and hospitality. This strategy helped him survive challenges in some sectors because other businesses continued to support his empire.

Young people should understand that depending on one source of income is risky. Even when starting small, it is important to think of ways to grow into different areas over time. Equally important is long-term vision. Sudhir never rushed for quick gains. Instead, he invested in businesses that would remain strong for years, like property and hotels.

Resilience in the Face of Challenges

Sudhir’s journey has not been without setbacks. When Crane Bank was controversially closed in 2016, many thought it would end his dominance. Instead, he reorganized and strengthened other parts of his empire, especially real estate and hospitality. Today, he is still one of the most influential business leaders in Uganda.

For the youth, this teaches resilience. Failure or setbacks should not be the end. What matters is the ability to rise again, learn from mistakes, and rebuild stronger.

Trust, Discipline, and Family Involvement

Another lesson is the importance of trust and discipline in business. Sudhir is known for keeping his word and for being disciplined in his investments. He avoids chasing quick fads and instead follows clear strategies. This kind of discipline prevents unnecessary losses.

He also works closely with his family, who are deeply involved in running the Ruparelia Group. This shows the value of involving those closest to you in building a legacy that lasts. Young people should remember that success is not just about personal gain but also about creating opportunities for others, including family and community.

Giving Back to Society

Sudhir is also known for his philanthropy. He has supported schools, hospitals, and disaster relief efforts. His donations have helped communities and improved lives. For the youth, this is a reminder that success is not complete without giving back. True leadership is measured not only by personal wealth but also by the positive difference one makes in society.

A Role Model for the Future

Uganda is a young country, with most of its population below the age of 30. Many young people face unemployment and limited opportunities. Learning from examples like Sudhir Ruparelia can help them believe in themselves and think more creatively about their futures. His journey shows that success does not come overnight but through patience, planning, and continuous effort.

Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia’s life is more than a story of becoming wealthy. It is a story of resilience, vision, and responsibility. For the Ugandan youth, it is a reminder that with determination, discipline, and the courage to take risks, they too can build lasting success.

Kampala businessman Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia was the Guest of Honor at the “Meet the CEO” event held by the French Chamber of Commerce Uganda (FCCU) on September 24. The gathering, hosted at Kabira Country Club, also marked one year since the chamber began operations in Uganda. The event brought together business leaders, diplomats, and investors to celebrate partnerships between French and Ugandan companies.

The evening featured speeches and networking, but much of the attention was on Dr. Ruparelia. Uganda’s most prominent businessman was invited to share his entrepreneurial story, which has become an example of determination and long-term planning. He spoke about starting with little, working hard, and growing into one of the country’s top investors and largest taxpayers. His remarks on resilience and vision were well received by the audience, many of whom saw his journey as proof that persistence leads to opportunity.

Jean-Philippe Bittencourt, Vice President of FCCU, commended Dr. Ruparelia for supporting initiatives that link businesses across borders. He said the chamber’s progress in its first year was impressive but noted that role models like Sudhir encourage both French and Ugandan entrepreneurs to think bigger.

The French Ambassador to Uganda, H.E. Véronique Leroy, also addressed the gathering. She spoke about Uganda’s untapped potential and urged businesses to highlight the country’s opportunities in tourism, trade, and investment. Her message emphasized Uganda’s growing role in regional and global markets.

The choice of Kabira Country Club as the venue was also significant. The hotel, part of the Ruparelia Group, reflects the group’s investment in high-quality facilities in Uganda. Hosting the chamber’s anniversary there was another reminder of Sudhir’s influence on the country’s business landscape.

The FCCU was established to create stronger connections between French and Ugandan businesses. In its first year, it has encouraged trade, promoted investment opportunities, and built a platform for knowledge-sharing. The presence of Dr. Ruparelia, a leading figure in Uganda’s private sector, added weight to the celebrations and underlined the importance of local participation in international partnerships.

For many Ugandans, Sudhir is more than just a businessman. His career, which began with small ventures, has grown into an empire employing thousands of people across different sectors, from real estate to hospitality. His involvement in events like this shows a willingness to guide and support future generations of entrepreneurs.

As the anniversary came to a close, members of the chamber expressed optimism about the years ahead. With Uganda aiming to strengthen its role as an investment hub in East Africa, collaboration between international partners and local companies such as the Ruparelia Group is expected to open new doors.

The FCCU may be new, but its first year has already shown results. With the involvement of leaders like Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia, the chamber’s mission to promote resilience, vision, and cross-border cooperation is beginning to take firm shape.

Uganda’s oldest opposition party, the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC), will not appear on the presidential ballot in 2026 after the Electoral Commission ruled that the party had failed to meet legal and constitutional requirements.

The announcement came after weeks of internal fights that climaxed on September 21 when UPC leaders including Jimmy James Michael Akena, Denis Enap Adim, Joseph Pinytek Ochieno, and Peter Walubiri Mukidi met EC officials in a tense closed-door session. What was meant to settle questions of legitimacy instead exposed deep cracks at the top of the party.

On September 22, EC chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama delivered the decision that neither Akena nor Adim could stand as UPC’s presidential flag bearer. He pointed to binding court judgments and breaches of the party’s own constitution as reasons behind the disqualification.

At the centre of the storm is a ruling by the High Court in Misc. Cause No. 148 of 2025 which held that Akena had already served his maximum two terms as UPC president. The same ruling nullified his nomination for another term, a decision that has never been overturned. The Electoral Commission also dismissed the party’s attempt to extend Akena’s mandate through a virtual delegates’ conference, noting that the move defied a court order and violated Articles 25(2) and (3) of the UPC constitution.

The commission went further, declaring Akena’s nomination for the 2026 to 2030 term illegal, while Adim’s nomination failed to satisfy Article 13(5) of the UPC constitution. Peter Walubiri was also ruled out since he never formally entered the nomination process for party president.

The feud escalated earlier this year when Adim successfully challenged Akena’s extension of office in court. That legal victory set the stage for Monday’s ruling, with the Electoral Commission stressing that UPC’s internal processes fell short of Section 10 of the Political Parties and Organisations Act, which governs leadership transitions in political parties.

Even as the ruling was being delivered, social media claims circulated suggesting that Akena had been cleared to run. But Joseph Ochieno’s lawyer, Jude Byamukama of JByamukama Advocates, dismissed the reports as false.

With the nomination deadline approaching, UPC now faces the grim reality of missing the presidential race for the first time in its history. For a party that once produced Milton Obote, Uganda’s first executive prime minister and later president, the prospect of sitting out 2026 underscores the scale of its current crisis.

Uganda’s businessman and Honorary Consul of Nepal, Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia, hosted a ceremony on Monday to mark Nepal’s Constitution Day. The event was held at the Consulate of Nepal, located in Crane Chambers, one of the landmark buildings owned by the Ruparelia Group.

The celebration, which included a cake-cutting, came shortly after the official observance on September 19 in Nepal. It attracted members of the Nepalese community in Uganda, many of whom are employed within Dr. Ruparelia’s business enterprises.

Nepal’s Constitution Day is a national holiday that commemorates the adoption of the 2015 Constitution. The law formally changed Nepal into a federal republic and is widely remembered for its role in guiding the country’s recovery after the devastating earthquake of the same year. It is also viewed as a milestone for inclusivity, with special recognition of groups such as Dalits and Janajatis.

At the Kampala event, Dr. Ruparelia described the day as “a celebration of resilience and shared values.” He also emphasized the growing relationship between Uganda and Nepal, noting the cultural and diplomatic connections that have continued to strengthen.

Dr. Ruparelia has served as Nepal’s Honorary Consul in Uganda since 2020, following his appointment by then-President Bidhya Devi Bhandari. Over the years, he has played a role in promoting closer ties between the two countries, using both his diplomatic position and business influence to foster cooperation.

For Nepalese nationals in Uganda, the celebration offered an opportunity to observe their national day while away from home. Hosting the event at Crane Chambers underlined Dr. Ruparelia’s role not only as a leading entrepreneur but also as a bridge between Uganda and Nepal.

One of Uganda’s richest lawyers, William Byaruhanga, has moved into Kenya’s banking sector after buying a large stake in Sidian Bank. The former Attorney General paid more than KSh1 billion (about Shs35.2 billion), about Shs35 billion, to secure his shares, making him one of the top four owners of the lender.

The deal marks a new chapter in Byaruhanga’s career, shifting from law and property into regional finance. He already owns some of Kampala’s most notable buildings, including Village Mall in Bugolobi, Rwenzori Towers, Rwenzori Courts, Rwenzori House, Amamu House, and Mountain of the Moon Hotel in Fort Portal.

Sidian Bank, first opened in 1984 under the name K-Rep Bank, has been attracting new investors as Centum Investments reduces its role. Centum, a major Kenyan investment group, has been selling off its shares to a mix of companies, among them Wizpro Enterprises, Afram Limited, Pioneer General Insurance, Pioneer Life Investments, and Telesec Africa. This has lowered Centum’s ownership to just over a quarter of the bank.

Despite worries from regulators about weak capital levels, Sidian Bank has been showing strong growth. In the first half of 2025, it made profits of KSh1 billion, more than four times what it earned in the same period the year before. Customer deposits rose to nearly KSh60 billion, while lending hit close to KSh27 billion, with much of the money directed into government securities.

Byaruhanga’s investment underlines a bigger trend: Ugandan business leaders are looking beyond their borders, putting money into Kenya’s fast-growing financial sector. For many, it is a sign of how East Africa’s wealthy elite are starting to play a bigger role across the region, not just in their home countries.

A new BBC documentary has revealed how young Ugandan women are being lured to Dubai with promises of good jobs, only to end up trapped in sex trafficking networks. The documentary, titled Death in Dubai, shows how traffickers and recruitment agents promise work as maids, models, or influencers. After arrival, many women have their passports taken and are pushed into abuse and exploitation, including degrading acts at private “Porta Potty” parties.

The documentary shares painful stories from women who survived. They said local agents in Uganda told them Dubai would change their lives. Many borrowed money to pay for travel. Instead of the better future they expected, they were kept in rooms, threatened, and told they had no choice but to obey. Debts and fear kept them silent.

Families in Uganda are mourning daughters who never came home. Among them are Monic Karungi, known online as Mona Kizz, and Kayla Birungi. Both died in Dubai in separate incidents that were officially labeled suicides. Their relatives believe the deaths are linked to the trafficking networks exposed by the BBC investigation.

The investigation also names a man it says plays a key role in this trade: Charles “Abbey” Mwesigwa. Undercover footage shows a man identified as Mwesigwa offering women to clients and talking about extreme requests at high-paying parties. He is said to handle many women and to quote prices that rise with more “crazy” demands. He denied the accusations when confronted, saying the claims were false and that he is only a social figure who knows many people.

Reporters and victims told the BBC that some women were recruited with false job offers, then trapped by debts for visas, tickets, and housing, and pressured into sex work to “repay” those costs. A former associate claimed that women who refused were confined until they agreed. These accounts match patterns described by survivors in the film.

The problem is wider than a few cases. Every year, many Ugandan women travel to Gulf countries trying to escape poverty and joblessness. Some find legal work, but others meet traffickers who exploit their hope. Weak checks on recruitment agencies and poor protection for migrant workers make the situation worse.

The BBC documentary has caused public outcry. Ugandan leaders and activists have called for stronger action, tighter oversight of recruitment companies, and better support for women who return after abuse. There are new calls for cooperation between Uganda and the United Arab Emirates to break these networks and hold offenders to account.

The team behind Death in Dubai said they wanted to expose a hidden crime that has destroyed lives while staying in the shadows. They hope the film and podcast will push governments and institutions to act faster and protect young women from being deceived, exploited, and silenced.

Information published in this article was obtained from the BBC NEWS Africa Documentary.

Watch it below

Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) serving under the African Union Support Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) have killed a senior Al-Shabaab commander in the Lower Shabelle region.

The militant leader, Osman Hussein Bune Amiir, who was considered the overall commander of Al-Shabaab fighters in Lower Shabelle, was ambushed and killed by UPDF troops near Buulomareer on September 14, 2025.

Sector One Commander, Brig Gen Joseph Musoke Ssemwanga, commended the Buulo Mareer Forward Operating Base (FOB) troops for what he described as a decisive action against Al-Shabaab.

He said the operation also led to the recovery of a pistol with three loaded magazines, a porch, binoculars, and two mobile phones, among other items.

Brig Gen Ssemwanga assured the troops that AUSSOM, the UPDF leadership, and international partners remain committed to breaking Al-Shabaab’s networks and working to restore peace and stability in Somalia.

Maj David Ogweng, the commander of Buulo Mareer FOB, thanked Brig Gen Ssemwanga for his constant support and guidance, which he said enabled the soldiers to succeed in their mission. He added that his forces are determined to continue their duties and ensure peace, security, and stability in Somalia.

During his field visit, Brig Gen Ssemwanga also inspected FOBs in Quoryoley and Goloweyn to check on troop readiness and welfare.

He was joined by Lt Col Justus Magyembe, the Contingent Logistics and Engineering Commander, as well as commanders responsible for Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Women’s Affairs.

A court in Zambia has sentenced two witch doctors to prison for trying to use witchcraft against President Hakainde Hichilema.

The two men, 43-year-old Leonard Phiri from Zambia and 42-year-old Jasten Mabulesse Candunde from Mozambique, were found guilty of possessing charms and practicing witchcraft. Among the items discovered was a live chameleon, which investigators said was part of their rituals.

According to court findings, the pair had been hired by Nelson Banda, the younger brother of former independent Member of Parliament Emmanuel Banda. The witch doctors admitted that they had been promised 2 million Zambian Kwacha, more than 80,000 US dollars, once the mission was carried out.

In his ruling, Lusaka Magistrate Fine Mayambu said the attempt to harm President Hichilema could have led to political unrest, economic problems, and hardship for the Zambian people. He noted that even though the men were first-time offenders, their intention to cause death meant they deserved a custodial sentence with hard labor.

The court sentenced each man to two years for possessing charms and six months for practicing witchcraft. The sentences, which start from the day of their arrest on December 20, 2024, will run at the same time.

Police in Uganda have raised the reward for information that could lead to the capture of those behind the brutal killing of Mr. and Mrs. Mutaaga in Entebbe.

According to Police Spokesperson Rusoke Kituuma, the cash offer has been pushed from Shs 50 million to Shs 60 million as investigators intensify the manhunt. He explained that officers are determined to track down the killers and believe the higher reward will motivate people with information to come forward.

Police have already shared the photograph and a voice recording of one key suspect believed to be connected to the crime.

Kituuma also addressed confusion caused by a newspaper report that suggested the suspects had already been identified. He clarified that investigators only have persons of interest but no confirmed suspects yet. He stressed that full identities will only be made public once evidence is solid.

The killing of the couple has unsettled the Entebbe community, and residents have called for quick justice. Police said they are following several leads and urged members of the public with reliable information to share it immediately with authorities.

Social commentator and businessman Frank Gashumba and his wife, Patience Mutoni Malaika, have celebrated the birth of their first child.

While speaking on Radio 4 on the morning of September 15, 2025, Gashumba shared his happiness, saying he was pleased to announce that both his wife and their newborn were in good health.

Earlier in the year, on May 15, Gashumba held a traditional Gusaba ceremony at Mutoni’s home in Ssembabule District. This cultural event is when a groom’s family formally seeks the bride’s hand in marriage.

Photos from the ceremony spread widely, and many people commented on Mutoni’s youthful appearance, with some even comparing her to Gashumba’s daughter, Sheila. In response, Gashumba dismissed such comments and described the critics as haters and people who had failed in life.

During the Gusaba, Mutoni’s family asked for Shs 6 million and 12 cows as bride price, a request that Gashumba fulfilled in full.