The richest man in Uganda in 2025 is Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia. According to Forbes Africa, his estimated net worth stands at $1.6 billion. This makes him the top business magnate in the country. Ruparelia has built a diversified empire across banking, real estate, education, agriculture, and hospitality. His journey from exile to billionaire reflects ambition, risk-taking, and Uganda’s growing private sector.
Sudhir Ruparelia’s Journey to Wealth
Born in 1956, Ruparelia fled Uganda in 1972 during the expulsion of Asians under Idi Amin. He later returned in 1985 with $25,000 in savings. With that capital, he started a beer import business and soon after opened a forex bureau. That venture grew into Crane Bank, once one of Uganda’s top commercial banks.
In 2016, Crane Bank was closed by the Bank of Uganda over solvency issues. However, the Supreme Court reversed the decision in 2022 and ruled in Ruparelia’s favor. This legal victory restored his business credibility.
Ruparelia also became known as “Kampala’s landlord” thanks to his extensive real estate holdings. He owns more than 200 commercial properties. In 2024, he acquired Lotis Towers and renamed it Arie Towers, adding to his growing list of properties.
Inside the Ruparelia Group
The Ruparelia Group is one of the largest conglomerates in Uganda. It owns companies in key sectors, including:
- Real estate: Speke Resort Munyonyo, Kabira Country Club, Speke Apartments
- Education: Kampala International School, Delhi Public School, Victoria University
- Finance: Crane Forex Bureau, Goldstar Insurance
- Agriculture: Premier Roses, Uganda’s leading flower exporter
This broad portfolio helped Ruparelia manage economic volatility. If one sector underperformed, others remained stable. His consistent reinvestment strategy contributed to long-term growth.
Community Impact and Recent News
Ruparelia’s businesses have created thousands of jobs in Uganda. He is also a philanthropist. Through the Ruparelia Foundation, he supports education, health, and disaster relief efforts.
In 2025, Forbes Africa again named him Uganda’s richest individual. He continues to invest in real estate and may enter Uganda’s growing oil and tech sectors.
His son, Rajiv Ruparelia, had played a major role in managing the business. Sadly, Rajiv passed away in 2025. Despite the tragedy, the group remains strong, backed by professional teams.
Uganda’s Other Wealthy Tycoons
While Sudhir Ruparelia leads the wealth rankings, other Ugandans also hold vast fortunes. Here are top contenders in 2025:
Drake Lubega
Estimated net worth: $850 million
Known for his real estate empire, he owns many commercial buildings in Kampala. He has also entered the hospitality and manufacturing sectors.
Mansoor Matovu “Yanga”
Estimated net worth: $785 million
He built his wealth in property and logistics. Yanga operates one of the largest trucking businesses in Uganda.
Godfrey Kirumira
Estimated net worth: $700 million
Chairman of the Kwagalana Group, he is involved in oil, hotels, and construction. He is also a respected community figure.
Other notable names include Charles Mbire in telecom and finance, John Bosco Muwonge in downtown property, and Hamis Kiggundu, a rising entrepreneur in trade and real estate.
In 2025, Sudhir Ruparelia remains the richest man in Uganda, with a diverse empire and a legacy built over decades. His impact on Uganda’s economy is unmatched. He symbolizes what determination and business vision can achieve in a growing market.
While other tycoons are catching up, Ruparelia’s continued expansion and public profile keep him at the top. His story continues to inspire Uganda’s next generation of business leaders.
