Sheena Ruparelia Honored For Spearheading Historic Speke Resort Convention Centre

By Gad Masereka

Kampala, Uganda – January 20, 2024

In a historic turn of events, Sheena Ruparelia, the daughter of prominent businessman Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia and Honorary Consul of Nepal to Uganda, has been hailed for her exceptional role in supervising the construction of the multi-billion Speke Resort Convention Centre in Munyonyo. The convention center has recently hosted significant events such as the Speakers’ Conference, Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), and G-77+China summits.

President Museveni, who attended a state dinner at the convention centre while hosting NAM guests, expressed his admiration for Sheena’s remarkable dedication and leadership skills in overseeing the completion of the project seamlessly. He commended her for saving the country from potential embarrassment and recognized her ability to execute a project of such magnitude without errors.

In a gesture of appreciation, President Museveni generously donated multiple cows from his Kisozi farm to Sheena, a traditional Ankole culture symbol of immense gratitude and a welcoming gesture into their family. The President encouraged Sheena to venture into farming with the Ankole breed, emphasizing the significance of the donated cows.

Born on December 23, 1988, Sheena Ruparelia holds a BSc in Economics and Accountancy from City University, London. She has been actively involved in the Ruparelia Group, one of Uganda’s largest business conglomerates with investments in various sectors, including financial services, real estate, education, hospitality, agriculture, and media/broadcasting.

Sheena joined the family business after completing her degree, taking on roles such as Business Development Manager at Crane Bank Uganda Limited and later becoming a Director at Meera Investments, the group’s real estate development arm. She has played a crucial role in managing several projects, including Tagore Living, Bukoto Living, and the Speke Resort Convention Centre.

The Speke Resort Convention Centre, situated within a 105-acre luxury Munyonyo resort complex, is the first of its kind in Uganda and East Africa. Boasting a 4400-seater auditorium, a multipurpose hall, upscale conference rooms, and a floating restaurant with a panoramic view of Lake Victoria, the state-of-the-art facility has elevated Uganda’s Meetings, Incentives, and Conferences & Exhibitions (MICE) potential.

The Convention Centre, currently the largest in Uganda, stands as a testament to architectural brilliance and engineering excellence, offering versatile spaces designed for large international summits, corporate galas, and business meetings. With cutting-edge technology, a dedicated support team, and a commitment to innovation, the Speke Resort Convention Centre guarantees a seamless and immersive experience for events, with a total capacity of up to 19,000 attendees and 17 futuristic conference rooms.

Sheena Ruparelia’s dedication and achievements highlight the potential of young women in leadership roles and their ability to contribute significantly to the development of major infrastructure projects. Her story is not only one of personal success but also a testament to the transformative impact of focused dedication and hard work.