Opinion! Sudhir Is Proof That Loving Your Country Can Build An Economy

By Frank Kamuntu

In a country where the private sector is often described as the engine of growth, few business leaders embody patriotism and national commitment like Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia. His name has become synonymous with resilience, vision, and above all, a deep belief in Uganda’s potential to rise as a regional economic powerhouse.

Patriotism is not just about flying the national flag — it is about investing in the nation’s future. Sudhir has done this consistently for decades. Through his Ruparelia Group, he has built some of Uganda’s most iconic developments — Kingdom Kampala, Speke Resort Munyonyo, and Kabira Country Club — creating jobs, paying taxes, and providing services that attract both domestic and international visitors. Each project is not merely a business venture but a vote of confidence in Uganda’s stability and prospects.

Even when times were difficult — from economic shocks to global disruptions like COVID-19 — Sudhir never shifted his base or moved his wealth abroad. Instead, he doubled down on his investments, kept thousands of workers employed, and kept faith in Uganda’s recovery. That is the kind of patriotism that cannot be legislated; it must come from a genuine belief that Uganda is worth building.

Beyond the balance sheets, Sudhir has championed social causes through the Ruparelia Foundation, funding education, health, and youth empowerment projects that touch lives far beyond his business interests. Every scholarship awarded, every classroom built, every child supported is a quiet but powerful statement that Uganda’s future matters.

Importantly, Sudhir has also become an informal ambassador for Uganda. Whether he is speaking at a global business forum in Dubai or London, or hosting potential investors in Kampala, he projects confidence, competence, and credibility. This is the soft power that inspires investor trust — showing that Uganda is not just open for business but is home to business leaders who care deeply about the country’s success.

Uganda needs more Sudhirs — businesspeople who do not just extract profit but actively contribute to nation-building. His example reminds us that patriotism is not only the work of soldiers or politicians; it is also the daily commitment of entrepreneurs, employers, and investors who choose to plant their resources in the soil of Uganda and nurture its growth.

As Uganda advances with major projects like the Parish Development Model and oil production, figures like Sudhir Ruparelia will be vital in ensuring that private sector confidence remains high. His life’s work is proof that loving your country can be good business — and that good business can transform a country.