Am Uganda Biggest Tax Payer In Real Estate:  Dr Sudhir Talks Business, His Multibillion Taxes With Employment Of Over 10k In Uganda And Uganda’s Economic Transformation

By Frank Kamuntu

Ruparelia Group Chairman Sudhir Ruparelia has defended the contribution of Ugandan entrepreneurs of Asian origin to the country’s economy, highlighting their role in job creation, tax revenue generation, industrial growth and national development.

Speaking during a wide-ranging discussion at Crane Chambers, Ruparelia argued that businesses owned by Ugandans of Indian origin are not taking jobs away from citizens but are instead creating opportunities on a massive scale.

“I’m employing over ten thousand people,” he noted.

According to Ruparelia, Uganda’s Asian community numbers roughly 30,000 people within a national population of approximately 50 million.

Despite representing a small fraction of the population, he believes the community plays an outsized role in economic activity, investment and tax contribution.

He pointed to manufacturing, hospitality and service industries as sectors where many Ugandans of Indian origin have concentrated their investments.

Ruparelia also emphasized the importance of tax compliance, describing payment of taxes as both a legal requirement and a civic responsibility.

He disclosed that the Ruparelia Group pays substantial sums in taxes each year.

According to his account, one company alone contributes approximately Shs2.5 billion in VAT every month and around Shs30 billion annually in corporation tax.

He further stated that he is among the highest taxpayers in Uganda’s real estate sector, contributing more than Shs12 billion in taxes and an additional Shs9–10 billion in VAT personally.

Beyond these amounts, he noted that various businesses within the group also remit withholding taxes, employee-related obligations and other statutory deductions.

“As a citizen of the country, it is my obligation to pay taxes,” he said.

The billionaire entrepreneur attributed much of his business success to disciplined management structures and strong financial controls.

He explained that while the group operates across numerous sectors—including hospitality, real estate, education, floriculture and other investments—each business maintains professional administration and accounting systems.

For Ruparelia, effective oversight of finances is central to organisational success.

He believes managers should focus on their core responsibilities rather than becoming distracted by financial administration.

Using schools as an example, he argued that educators should concentrate on delivering quality education while dedicated accounting systems handle financial matters.

Ruparelia also discussed his personal management philosophy.

He said he only enters businesses that genuinely interest him and that passion remains a key ingredient in long-term success.

“When you enjoy doing something, then you’re doing it with passion,” he explained.

Despite overseeing one of East Africa’s largest private business empires, Ruparelia described a relatively simple personal routine.

At the age of 70, he said his typical breakfast consists of coffee, biscuits or fruit, reflecting efforts to maintain his health and reduce weight.

Beyond business, Ruparelia serves as Nepal’s Honorary Consul in Uganda.

He clarified that the position is unpaid and primarily involves assisting Nepali citizens and strengthening relations between Nepal and Uganda.

He described the role as one of service rather than financial benefit.

The conversation also touched on the broader trajectory of Uganda’s economy.

Ruparelia praised the country’s development over recent decades, arguing that economic stability has enabled significant increases in property values, industrial expansion and infrastructure growth.

He pointed to the emergence of thousands of factories and increasing local production as indicators of national progress.

According to Ruparelia, many consumer goods found on supermarket shelves today are produced within Uganda, reflecting growth in domestic manufacturing.

He observed that while many indigenous Ugandans have traditionally invested in trade and real estate, entrepreneurs of Asian origin have often concentrated on manufacturing, hospitality and industrial ventures.

For him, the combination of entrepreneurship, investment and long-term planning has helped transform Uganda’s economic landscape.

The discussion concluded with reflections on his late son, Rajiv Ruparelia, whose death shocked Uganda’s business community.

Ruparelia described Rajiv as a highly impactful individual who achieved a great deal within his 35 years of life.

He noted that Rajiv’s contributions continue to be remembered and celebrated by many Ugandans.

The remarks came as Pan African Pyramid announced plans to commemorate Rajiv Ruparelia’s life and legacy during a special event scheduled for August 29 at Speke Resort Munyonyo.

For Sudhir Ruparelia, the journey from a young refugee to one of East Africa’s most influential entrepreneurs remains inseparable from Uganda’s own story of resilience, recovery and economic transformation. His message was clear: opportunity, hard work, discipline and commitment to country can create lasting impact across generations.