President Museveni Honors Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia With Distinguished Order Of Crested Crane For Exceptional Service To Uganda

By Gad Masereka

Mubende, Uganda – In a monumental acknowledgment of his transformative contributions to Uganda’s development, Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia was awarded the Distinguished Order of the Crested Crane (Grand Officer) by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. The award was presented on January 26, 2025, during the 39th NRM/A Victory Day Anniversary Celebrations in Mubende District.

A Milestone Recognition

The Distinguished Order of the Crested Crane, one of Uganda’s highest civilian honors, recognizes individuals whose exceptional service has significantly impacted the nation. Dr. Ruparelia earned the accolade for his dedication to economic growth, infrastructure development, and his pivotal role in completing the Speke Resort Conference Centre in record time—allowing Uganda to successfully host the 2024 Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and G77+ China Summits.

A Champion of Pan-African Excellence

Beyond Uganda’s borders, Dr. Ruparelia is celebrated as a Pan-African visionary. In 2024, he received the “Achiever of All Times” award at the Pan African Pyramid Global Awards for his outstanding contributions to Africa’s socio-economic development. This honor adds to an illustrious portfolio, including an Honorary Doctor of Laws from Uganda Pentecostal University and the Golden Jubilee Independence Medal.

Driving Uganda’s Transformation

As the founder and chairman of the Ruparelia Group, Dr. Ruparelia has revolutionized Uganda’s economy through investments spanning real estate, hospitality, education, finance, and agriculture.

Real Estate and Property Development

Dr. Ruparelia’s Meera Investments is Uganda’s largest property developer, creating iconic landmarks like Crane Chambers, Kingdom Kampala Mall, and the Cube. His residential developments, such as Speke Apartments and Bukoto Heights, provide premium housing options in Kampala.

Hospitality and Tourism

The Speke Group of Hotels, under Dr. Ruparelia’s leadership, is a pillar of Uganda’s tourism sector. Properties such as Speke Resort Munyonyo, Kabira Country Club, and Forest Cottages attract global visitors, serving as premier venues for international conferences, leisure, and tourism.

Education and Youth Empowerment

Dr. Ruparelia is a staunch advocate for quality education, founding institutions like Kampala International School Uganda (KISU), Delhi Public School International, and Victoria University, shaping Uganda’s next generation of leaders.

Banking, Agriculture, and Media

Dr. Ruparelia’s role in expanding financial access through Crane Bank, his investments in floriculture that position Uganda as a leading flower exporter, and his ownership of 88.2 Sanyu FM, which fosters creativity and information dissemination, highlight his diverse contributions to national development.

Legacy of Leadership

Dr. Ruparelia’s visionary leadership has created thousands of jobs, empowered communities, and elevated Uganda’s global profile. His relentless dedication to nation-building stands as a model of resilience and innovation.

As Uganda marks 39 years of the NRM/A’s achievements, Dr. Ruparelia’s award is a reminder of the impact of strategic investments and visionary leadership in shaping a nation’s future. Congratulations to Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia for this well-deserved recognition.