Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia is a prominent Ugandan businessman and the richest individual in Uganda. He is best known as the founder and chairman of the Ruparelia Group, a vast conglomerate operating across sectors such as real estate, banking, insurance, education, hospitality, media, and floriculture. His journey represents a story of resilience, migration, and visionary entrepreneurship, tracing back to his ancestral roots in Gujarat, India, and spanning several continents.
Born in 1956 in Kabatoro in Uganda’s Kasese District, Ruparelia comes from a long line of Indian Gujarati migrants who settled in East Africa in the early 20th century. His family initially engaged in small trading ventures before setting deeper roots in Uganda. However, in 1972, under the dictatorship of Idi Amin, the Asian community, including Ruparelia’s family, was expelled from Uganda. At the age of 16, Ruparelia was left to fend for himself as his parents fled to the UK. He joined them later, where he faced adversity, working multiple low-wage jobs to support himself and save money.
In 1985, armed with $25,000 saved from his hard work in the UK, Ruparelia returned to Uganda, which was recovering from years of political and economic turmoil. He began by importing and selling beer and salt but quickly adapted when import restrictions limited his ventures. He pioneered the creation of Crane Forex Bureau, the first licensed currency exchange in Uganda, laying the foundation for his future empire.
By 1995, he established Crane Bank, which became Uganda’s second-largest private bank, known for its customer-centric approach, extended hours, and accessible services. Despite the bank’s eventual takeover by the central bank in 2016 due to regulatory challenges, Ruparelia defended his interests fiercely through legal battles.
Today, the Ruparelia Group covers diverse industries, including landmark properties like the Speke Resort & Conference Centre, the Kabira Country Club, Victoria University, Kampala Parents School, and leading media outlets and floriculture businesses. The Group is also a major exporter of roses, meeting international quality standards.
In 2025, Ruparelia faced personal tragedy with the death of his only son, Rajiv Ruparelia, who was a highly regarded Managing Director within the family business. To honor his son’s memory, Dr. Ruparelia established a scholarship fund at Victoria University, offering fully funded postgraduate awards to deserving students, ensuring Rajiv’s legacy lives on through education and opportunity.
Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia’s life is a testament to enduring entrepreneurial spirit, unyielding resilience, and profound commitment to fostering economic development and education in Uganda and Africa at large.
