Sudhir Ruparelia and Matovu Yanga Crowned Kampala’s Best Landlords Of 2025

By Gad Masereka

Two of Kampala’s leading real estate figures, Dr Sudhir Ruparelia and Haji Mansoor Matovu, popularly known as Yanga, have been named the city’s Best Business Landlords of 2025, an accolade recognising excellence in property management and tenant welfare.

The award, issued by a consortium of urban development experts and tenant advocacy groups, celebrates landlords who provide safe, well-maintained, accessible, and transparent spaces that allow thousands of businesses to operate efficiently.

Dr Sudhir Ruparelia, chairman of the Ruparelia Group, oversees one of East Africa’s most extensive and modern property portfolios, including Kampala Boulevard, Kingdom Kampala, Crane Plaza, Hardware City, and the Speke Group of Hotels.

Tenants and property managers alike describe him as a landlord who successfully balances commercial ambition with fairness and responsiveness. Clear rental agreements, prompt attention to maintenance and safety concerns, and continuous investment in modern amenities have made his properties some of the most sought-after commercial spaces in the capital. “Dr Sudhir doesn’t just provide buildings; he provides environments where businesses can thrive,” said a tenant at Kampala Boulevard.

Haji Matovu Yanga, often referred to as the King of Arcades, owns a network of bustling retail centres, including Yanga Plaza and Yanga Mall. His recognition stems from his commitment to creating organised, secure, and accessible trading environments that support micro and small enterprises.

Affordable rental terms, effective management teams, and proactive handling of tenant concerns have cemented his reputation among small business operators in Kampala’s downtown districts. “Yanga has built spaces where traders feel supported, safe, and valued,” commented a long-standing vendor at Yanga Mall.

The award highlights a growing emphasis on professional property management in Kampala, where tenant satisfaction, building maintenance, and operational transparency are increasingly shaping the city’s commercial landscape.

For both Ruparelia and Matovu, the accolade not only recognises their business success but also their role in fostering entrepreneurship and sustaining Kampala’s urban economy.

By combining modern infrastructure with tenant-centred policies, these landlords have set benchmarks for property management in Uganda, proving that thoughtful investment in commercial real estate can drive both profitability and social impact.

Their recognition this year underscores the importance of responsible property ownership in a rapidly growing urban environment and signals to other landlords the value of integrating tenant welfare into their business models.