Billionaire Sudhir Ruparelia Calls Upon Government To Recognize Bahindi As An Official Tribe In Uganda

By Gad Masereka

Renowned Ugandan billionaire and philanthropist, Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia, has called upon the government of Uganda to officially recognize the Indian community, known locally as Bahindi, as a distinct tribe within the country.

This proposal was made during the Pan African Pyramid (PAP) Global Awards dinner, held at the Fairway Hotel in Kampala on August 31, 2024, where Dr. Sudhir was honored with the prestigious ‘Lifetime Achiever (Business Entrepreneur)’ award.

Dr. Sudhir, who has long been a prominent figure in Uganda’s business landscape, emphasized that the Indian community has been an integral part of Uganda’s socio-economic fabric for over 120 years.

During his speech, after being awarded, Dr. Sudhir argued that indians have lived in Uganda for multiple generations, contributed to its development, and embraced its culture should no longer be seen as outsiders but as natives with a rightful place in the country’s cultural identity.

“You cannot stay here in Uganda for more than 120 years and still be called a foreigner,” Dr. Sudhir said. “Therefore, I still raise the issue of Hindi being part of the many tribes in Uganda. For one who was born and raised in Uganda, and even those who have stayed in the country for more than 120 years, they truly deserve to be recognized as natives with a tribal identity.”

The Indian community in Uganda has a deep and storied history. Indians first arrived in Uganda in the late 19th century as laborers for the construction of the Uganda Railway and they established themselves as prominent businesspeople, contributing to the economy of Uganda.

However, their journey in Uganda has not been without challenges especially in 1972, under the regime of then-President Idi Amin, thousands of Indians were expelled from Uganda, and their properties were confiscated.

The expulsion was a dark chapter in Uganda’s history, disrupting the lives of many who had called Uganda home for generations. However, with the change in political leadership in the 1980s, many Indians returned to Uganda, reclaiming their properties and re-establishing their businesses.

Today, the Indian community in Uganda is known for its significant contributions to various sectors, including trade, manufacturing, and real estate.

Currently in Uganda, the Ruparelia Group, led by Dr. Sudhir, is a prime example of this success, employing thousands of Ugandans and playing a key role in the country’s economic growth.

Dr. Sudhir’s appeal for the recognition of Bahindi as an official tribe is seen as a move to cement the Indian community’s place in Uganda’s multicultural society. The recognition would be a symbolic and practical step, recognizing the community’s contributions while also granting them the same rights and status as other recognized tribes in Uganda.