Dr. Sudhir Honoured With ‘Life Time Achiever Business Entrepreneur Award At PAP Global Awards

By Gad Masereka

Uganda’s Richest Businessman and Philanthropist, Billionaire Sudhir Ruparelia has been recognized with the ‘Lifetime Achiever (Business Entrepreneur)’ Award for his exceptional leadership and entrepreneurial spirit, which has had a profound impact on the continent.

Dr Sudhir, also the Honorary Consul of Nepal to Uganda received the much-coveted award at the Pan African Pyramid (PAP) Global Awards dinner held on Saturday, August 31, 2024, at Fairway Hotel in Kampala.

The award was handed to him by Zimbabwean philosopher and celebrated Pan-African, Bishop Joshua Maponga together with SPA Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo from the Office of the National Chairman (ONC) Kyambogo who praised him for having the Pan-African spirit demonstrated through his multi-billion business conglomerate of Ruparelia Group that employs thousands of Ugandans in various capacities.

”Sudhir’s journey to success is an inspiring one. He rose from humble beginnings to become one of Africa’s most successful entrepreneurs. Having been expelled, Sudhir could have chosen to invest elsewhere, after all, he had got his Capital in the UK, not Africa, but his love for Africa, he chose to come back and invest in his home and not only that but as we speak today he employs thousands of Africans,” Andrew Irumba the Speaker PAP remarked at the awards ceremony.

Dr Sudhir, a well-known Real Estate mogul in his remarks emphasized that there is no better continent for investments than Africa. ”I am a Pan Africanist enough if you listen to my life and how much I have contributed to the continent’s growth but also I should make it clear that Africa and specifically Ugandans have been so good to me,” he said.

“Therefore I want to thank my brother Irumba for recognizing my contribution, this is a prestigious award that has hugely warmed my heart, I thank you Irumba and the entire PAP team.”

Similarly, Dr Sudhir also reiterated the call for Hindi to be admitted as a tribe in the Ugandan cultural setting arguing that for one who was born and raised in Uganda, and even those who stay in the country for more than 20 years, they truly deserve to be recognized as natives of that country with a tribal identity.

“You cannot stay here [Uganda] for more than 20 years and still be called a foreigner,” Dr Sudhir argued, adding; “Therefore, I still raise the issue of Hindi being part of the many tribes in Uganda.”

The event also saw President Museveni along with Dr Sudhir Ruparelia and other Pan Africanists recognized for their unwavering contributions to promoting and maintaining the African culture.

The President’s award was received by Hajjat Namyalo, his Senior Presidential Advisor and Personal Assistant at Kyambogo ONC who heaped praises on the President for being a vocal proponent of free education for African children, tightened nuts against LGBTQ, and preached tirelessly against bad governance practices that have bled bloody conflicts and insecurities in most Africa states.

”Museveni is applauded by righteous-minded world leaders for protecting African children when he stood his ground and signed the anti-LGBTQ Bill into law, criminalizing anti-humane behaviours that aim at destroying African Societies. Because of Museveni and the Parliament, Uganda is now used as a benchmark by many world countries who seek to deal with the ugly monster,” SPA Namyalo noted.

“Museveni’s commitment to Pan-Africanism is also reflected in his role as a mediator and peacekeeper in various regional conflicts. He has been instrumental in brokering peace agreements in countries such as Sudan, South Sudan, Kenya, Somalia, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, viewing regional stability as essential for the continent’s progress,” she added.

Dr Sudhir’s commitment to Pan-Africanism and environmentalism has earned him numerous accolades, including the Golden Jubilee Presidential Medal and an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from Uganda Pentecostal University.

The PAP Global Awards gala night is a premier event in the Pan African calendar, celebrating African excellence and resilience.

The ceremony was attended by prominent leaders, entrepreneurs, and change-makers from across the continent and the diaspora including; famous Agroeconomist from Canada and USA Dr Waka Waka, UN Peace Ambassador  Dr Tonny Jaja from S.Sudan, PAWO Secretary General Dr. Grace Kabayo, among others.