Andrew Mwenda Praises Sudhir’s Investment Drive as Pearl Tower Reshapes Kampala Skyline

Veteran journalist Andrew Mwenda has praised businessman Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia for his latest project, a 22-storey office tower rising from the site of the former Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence headquarters in Kololo. Mwenda described the development as both a symbol of resilience and a model for Uganda’s economic future.

Writing on X, formerly Twitter, Mwenda commended the structure as a blend of fine architecture and engineering, while also noting Sudhir’s unique commitment to reinvesting nearly all his wealth within Uganda. “He is among the few entrepreneurs who ensure that capital generated here remains here,” Mwenda said, adding that the building should be seen as a blueprint for national growth and an affirmation that Uganda’s future can be built by Ugandans for Ugandans.

The project, known as the RR Pearl Business Park, adds to a long list of ventures that have reshaped Kampala’s skyline and boosted confidence in the city’s commercial property market.

It follows the 2023 completion of a 3,800-seater convention centre at Munyonyo Commonwealth Resort, another Sudhir undertaking that Mwenda described as proof that even seemingly impossible projects can be achieved. That convention centre, completed in a record one year, has become one of East Africa’s premier venues, drawing global events while creating new opportunities for the hospitality sector.

Mwenda’s admiration for Sudhir is not only professional but also personal. Over the years, he has stood alongside him during moments of triumph and adversity, including the drawn-out legal battle with Bank of Uganda over the closure of Crane Bank. Mwenda often highlighted Sudhir’s determination and integrity throughout the process, once remarking that his Supreme Court victory was a lesson in principled entrepreneurship.

Sudhir’s business empire, anchored in real estate, hospitality, and education, has grown steadily over three decades. Through the Ruparelia Foundation, he has also directed substantial resources toward philanthropy, supporting initiatives in health, conservation, and education.

Mwenda has frequently argued that his example challenges the perception of local investors as short-term profit seekers, instead portraying him as a long-term builder of both institutions and communities.

As the RR Pearl Tower nears completion, it is already being viewed as more than just another addition to Kampala’s skyline. For Mwenda, it represents a broader legacy of belief in Uganda’s potential. “He is not just constructing buildings,” Mwenda said. “He is laying the foundations for Uganda’s tomorrow.”