Uganda’s richest man, Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia, on Sunday accompanied Indian spiritual leader Shri Dhirendra Krishna Shastri, also known as Bageshwar Dham Sarkar, to meet Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja at the Office of the Prime Minister.
The meeting took place on August 17, 2025, just days after India marked its 79th Independence Day. It highlighted the growing friendship between Uganda and India, both in culture and diplomacy.
Shri Shastri, aged 29, is a popular preacher from Madhya Pradesh, India, who is known for drawing huge crowds at his spiritual gatherings. His visit to Uganda was meant to connect with the Indian community and promote closer relations between the people of both countries.
Prime Minister Nabbanja, dressed in a floral gomesi with a yellow sash, warmly welcomed Shastri. She said Uganda values its partnership with India, which continues to be one of the country’s largest investors. Nabbanja described the visit as a sign of unity and stressed the importance of interfaith dialogue in promoting peace and social harmony.
Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia, who has been advocating for Asians to be officially recognized as a Ugandan tribe, called the visit a bridge of cultures and a chance to strengthen ties beyond business. He was joined by businessman and politician Sanjay Tanna.
Photos from the meeting showed Nabbanja exchanging the spiritual book Sita Ram with Shastri, who was dressed in traditional Indian clothes with a tilak mark on his forehead. The delegation later posed with both Ugandan and Indian flags as a show of unity. One photo of Sanjay Tanna sitting on the floor near the Prime Minister and spiritual leader sparked mixed reactions on social media.
India remains one of Uganda’s top economic partners, with investments in farming, manufacturing, and hospitality. The Indian community in Uganda, estimated at about 30,000 people, plays a big role in trade, industry, and charitable activities.
Although Nabbanja’s post about the meeting on her social media attracted unrelated questions from Ugandans about jobs and service delivery, analysts noted that such visits boost Uganda’s cultural diplomacy and encourage the Indian community to stay active in national development.
For Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia, founder of the Ruparelia Group, the meeting was another example of his influence in connecting Uganda’s government with the Asian community.