Sudhir Honoured with Lifetime Award for Transforming Uganda’s Real Estate

Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia, one of Uganda’s most prominent business figures, has been honoured with the Lifetime Achievers Award for his outstanding contribution to the growth and transformation of the country’s real estate sector.

The recognition was given during the 2025 National Property Awards at Sheraton Hotel Kampala, where industry leaders, government officials, and business executives gathered to celebrate excellence in property development.

The award was presented by Dr. Edwin Musiime, Chairman of the Uganda Homeowners Association, who praised Sudhir for his long-standing commitment to raising living standards in Uganda. “Dr. Sudhir has lived a life dedicated to bettering the standards of living for many Ugandans. Beyond affordable housing, he has invested heavily in education, healthcare, and recreation,” Musiime noted in his address, drawing applause from the audience.

Through Meera Investments and the Ruparelia Group, Sudhir has built a vast real estate empire that has reshaped Kampala’s skyline and set new benchmarks in the property market.

Among his landmark projects are Speke Resort Munyonyo, Kabira Country Club, Kingdom Kampala, RR Pearl Tower on Yusuf Lule Road, and the recently launched One-10 Apartments in Kololo. His projects, often combining modern architecture with functionality, have positioned him as a key driver of urban development in the country.

His business journey, however, had humble beginnings. After years in the United Kingdom where he worked and saved 25,000 dollars, Sudhir returned to Uganda in 1985 and started out in beer distribution.

It was a move into real estate that transformed his fortune and established him as one of the wealthiest Ugandans. His vision and calculated risks have since propelled him into banking, hospitality, education, and agriculture, making him a central figure in Uganda’s business landscape.

The event also turned attention to the country’s housing challenges. Hon. Judith Nabakooba, Minister of State for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, highlighted that Uganda faces a housing deficit of nearly seven million units.

She urged stronger collaboration between government and private developers to provide affordable housing solutions. “The task ahead requires partnerships that will enable every Ugandan family to access decent shelter,” she said.

This concern was echoed by Mugabi Lazarus, Director of the Board of Governors at AREA Uganda, who advised households to keep accommodation costs within 30 percent of their income. He reminded participants that while housing shortages are a global concern, addressing them requires context-specific strategies tailored to Uganda’s economic realities.

For Sudhir, the award adds to a list of recognitions that acknowledge his impact beyond real estate. His ventures in education and healthcare have created thousands of jobs and widened access to essential services, while his philanthropic contributions continue to touch communities across the country.

As he received the accolade, the atmosphere reflected not only admiration for his accomplishments but also an awareness of the urgent need to build on such private sector leadership to address Uganda’s growing urban and housing demands.