Sudhir Ruparelia Adds Historic Kimathi Avenue Property to Kampala Portfolio

Businessman Sudhir Ruparelia has acquired the former UAP Insurance building on Kimathi Avenue, adding a prominent property in Kampala’s traditional commercial district to his real estate portfolio. The value of the transaction has not been disclosed, and no public announcement has clarified whether the building will be retained, refurbished or redeveloped.

The property previously served as UAP Insurance’s headquarters before the company moved to Nakawa Business Park. It has also been associated with the early history of Next Media, which has said its operations began in a small apartment in the building before it expanded to Naguru.

The acquisition comes as Kampala’s office market evolves. Newer developments compete through modern facilities, parking and flexible layouts, while older buildings face pressure to upgrade or offer competitive terms. A central location, however, remains an asset that can be difficult to reproduce.

Ruparelia’s property interests include Kingdom Kampala, Pearl Business Park, Windsor House, Simbamanyo House, later renamed Gender and Labour House, and Arie Towers, formerly Lotis Towers. His wider business interests span education, hospitality, floriculture, broadcasting and other sectors.

The purchase also coincides with the continuing legal dispute over Crane Bank, which was placed under statutory management in 2016. Ruparelia and other former shareholders are pursuing claims in London over the bank’s transfer to dfcu. The defendants dispute the allegations, and the court has yet to determine the competing accounts.

The future use of the Kimathi Avenue building remains unannounced. Its acquisition nevertheless adds another established address to Ruparelia’s holdings in Kampala’s central business area.

Ruparelia’s property activity is taking place alongside changes in how businesses use office space in Kampala. Some companies have shifted to newer premises, while central buildings continue to attract attention because of their access to public services, commercial institutions and the city’s transport network. Whether the former UAP building will be modernised or occupied in its present form has not been announced.

The acquisition is notable because the building sits at Plot 1 Kimathi Avenue, an address associated with Kampala’s established corporate district. The transaction value and any redevelopment plans remain undisclosed, so the purchase should not be described as a completed redevelopment or a confirmed change of use.

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