By Frank Kamuntu
In a deeply moving and exclusive conversation with Spy Uganda’s Andrew Irumba, on Wednesday, Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia—the billionaire chairman of the Ruparelia Group—unveiled his latest masterpiece: Paradise Resort, a breathtaking, ultra-luxury retreat situated not merely along Lake Victoria, but in the lake itself, nestled on a private island now transformed into a sanctuary of peace, beauty, and legacy.
This unveiling, however, is not just another landmark in Uganda’s growing luxury portfolio. It is a memorial, a monument, and a dream fulfilled in sorrow and pride—as the man who laid its first brick, Rajiv Ruparelia, Sudhir’s only son and heir, tragically passed on before its completion.
It all began with nothing but virgin sand and wilderness. Years ago, a young and visionary Rajiv Ruparelia visited the island with close friends. That day, they laughed and played in the white sands—oblivious that this untouched stretch would become the canvas upon which he would lay the first brick of a future resort.
That first brick, symbolic and sacred, laid the foundation not just for a resort, but for what would be Rajiv’s final personal imprint on the family’s towering legacy.
Dr. Sudhir reflects: “Rajiv saw beyond the sand. He saw a paradise. Today, we have built that paradise—but he is not here to see it open. Yet, he is in every stone, every room, every breeze that moves across the lake.”
Five Years. Over $35 Million. One Dream.
Paradise Resort took over five years of meticulous planning, engineering, and execution. Floating logistics, custom infrastructure, and sustainable design had to be adapted to an island setting—making it one of the most ambitious hospitality projects in East Africa.
With a total investment exceeding $35 million (UGX 130 billion), the resort features overwater villas, lake-view suites, world-class dining, private docks, spa sanctuaries, and silent paths where guests can commune with nature in luxurious solitude.
Paradise Resort is not for the ordinary traveler. It is for those who seek curated silence, poetic seclusion, and moments wrapped in velvet. Designed with Kampala’s crème-de-la-crème in mind—moneyed elites, corporate magnates, dignitaries, and romantics—it is a place where lovers will propose under moonlit decks, tycoons will close million-dollar deals over sunset wine, and memories will be carved into eternity.
Each suite whispers decadence; each pathway tells a story. Here, you don’t just check in—you arrive into an atmosphere suspended between fantasy and memory.
Rajiv’s Final Gift to Uganda’s Hospitality Industry
While the Ruparelia Group already commands Uganda’s most prestigious hospitality brands—Speke Resort Munyonyo, Kabira Country Club, Speke Apartments, Dolphin Suites, Bukoto Heights, Forest Cottages, and more—Paradise Resort stands alone as a tribute, a memorial, and a private Eden.
This resort is not just an addition to Sudhir’s empire. It is Rajiv’s final footprint, now immortalized on an island where he once laughed, dreamed, and built.
Sudhir Ruparelia: A Father. A Mentor. A Tycoon. A Torchbearer.
Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia is East Africa’s most iconic business magnate—a self-made billionaire who turned a small forex bureau into the Ruparelia Group, a conglomerate spanning finance, real estate, education, hospitality, floriculture, media, and insurance.
Yet, in his quietest moment standing at the finished gates of Paradise Resort, he is not just a tycoon—but a father honoring the vision of a departed son.
“This resort is a living memory. Rajiv started it. We finished it for him. And now, Uganda owns it,” Sudhir shared, his voice firm but heavy with emotion.
Paradise Resort is now open—ready to host those who seek extraordinary getaways. Ready to deliver grandeur, serenity, and experiences only a secluded island can offer. It will forever carry the weight of love, ambition, and remembrance.
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