Ruparelia Group Chairman Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia has again highlighted the significant contribution of Ugandan entrepreneurs of Asian origin to the country’s economic transformation, pointing to their role in creating employment, expanding investment, supporting industrialisation and generating substantial tax revenue remarks made during a wide-ranging discussion at Crane Chambers that echoed and expanded on comments he gave earlier in the week.
Ruparelia argued that businesses established by Ugandans of Indian origin are not competing with local workers for jobs but instead creating thousands of employment opportunities while contributing to national development. “I’m employing over ten thousand people,” he said, noting that Uganda’s Asian community represents a relatively small share of the country’s roughly 50 million people, yet has established a notable presence across manufacturing, hospitality, real estate, education and services — sectors where, he said, the community’s investments support employment, local production and government revenue well beyond the scale of business ownership alone.
Ruparelia again emphasised the importance of tax compliance, calling it both a statutory requirement and a responsibility of every citizen and business operating in Uganda.
“As a citizen of the country, it is my obligation to pay taxes,” he said, disclosing that businesses under the Ruparelia Group contribute billions of shillings to the national treasury each year — one company alone paying approximately Shs2.5 billion in VAT monthly, translating to about Shs30 billion annually in corporation tax, while his real estate interests contribute more than Shs12 billion in taxes on top of Shs9 billion to Shs10 billion in VAT.
He added that the group’s overall contribution extends further still, to withholding taxes, employee-related statutory deductions and other mandatory payments across its operations.
Reflecting on the growth of his empire, Ruparelia attributed much of its success to disciplined management, professional structures and strong financial controls. Despite the diversity of businesses under the group — spanning real estate, hospitality, education, floriculture and leisure — he explained that each operates through specialised management and accounting systems designed to maintain efficiency and accountability, with effective delegation allowing professionals to focus on their areas of expertise. Using schools as an example, he said education managers should concentrate primarily on delivering quality learning, while specialised financial teams handle accounting, budgeting and financial controls.
Ruparelia also spoke about the philosophy guiding his entrepreneurial journey, saying his business interests are largely driven by sectors in which he has genuine passion. “When you enjoy doing something, then you’re doing it with passion,” he said. At 70, he described maintaining a relatively simple lifestyle while paying close attention to his health, and continues to serve as Nepal’s Honorary Consul in Uganda — a diplomatic role through which he assists Nepali citizens in the country and helps strengthen bilateral relations.
Ruparelia further reflected on Uganda’s economic transformation, citing improved stability, infrastructure development, increased industrial activity and the expansion of local manufacturing as key indicators of progress — pointing to a growing number of products on Ugandan supermarket shelves that are now manufactured locally as evidence of the country’s expanding productive capacity.
He also noted differences in investment patterns, observing that while many indigenous Ugandan entrepreneurs have traditionally focused on trade and real estate, entrepreneurs of Asian origin have often made substantial investments in manufacturing, hospitality and industrial ventures.
The conversation also offered an opportunity to reflect on the legacy of Dr. Ruparelia’s late son, Rajiv Ruparelia, whose death deeply affected Uganda’s business community. He described Rajiv as a dynamic entrepreneur whose achievements and influence continue to inspire people despite his relatively short life — contributions to business, philanthropy and community development that are expected to be celebrated during a special commemorative event organised by Pan African Pyramid on August 29 at Speke Resort Munyonyo. For Dr. Ruparelia, Uganda’s economic story is ultimately one of resilience, opportunity and enterprise, shaped by hard work, disciplined investment, professional management and a long-term belief in the country’s potential.
