Kampala, Uganda: Ugandan Billionaire and City Property magnate, Dr Sudhir Ruparelia, has unveiled striking architectural renders for Phase Two of Kingdom Kampala, featuring a sleek 21-storey tower crowned with a helipad, a bold addition expected to redefine the capital’s skyline and signal renewed confidence in Uganda’s urban growth.
Architectural renders released by the Group Chairman, Dr Sudhir Ruparelia, in January 2026 show a contemporary high-rise rising from a multi-level podium, seamlessly integrated into the existing Kingdom Kampala Mall complex. The tower features tall vertical glass façades framed with brick finishes, landscaped terraces, and green rooftop sections designed to soften the building’s mass while enhancing its urban appeal .
A defining feature of the new structure is a rooftop helipad and heliport, a rarity in privately developed commercial real estate in Uganda. The inclusion of this facility positions the project squarely in the premium segment, targeting high-level executives, investors, and international business travellers who increasingly demand speed, privacy, and convenience in fast-growing cities.
At the podium level, wide terraces supported by large columns, arched windows, and expansive walkways are designed to host retail, office, and public-facing commercial functions while improving pedestrian circulation within the complex. These design choices reinforce Kingdom Kampala’s ambition to function not merely as a building, but as an integrated urban node within the Central Business District.
Building on the Success of Phase One
Phase One of Kingdom Kampala, completed in 2019, transformed a prime CBD site into a modern mixed-use destination, combining a large retail mall, Grade-A office space, and extensive parking. Since opening, the development has attracted corporate tenants, retailers, and daily foot traffic that helped re-energise this part of the city .
Phase Two builds directly on this foundation. While full cost disclosures and construction timelines remain undisclosed, the scale of the new tower suggests a significant capital outlay, consistent with Ruparelia Group’s pattern of long-horizon, asset-heavy investments in prime urban locations.
Toward a “Vertical City” Concept
The expansion aligns with the Group’s long-standing vision of transforming Kingdom Kampala into a fully integrated urban ecosystem. Previous disclosures indicate plans for a high-end hotel component, premium serviced apartments, additional office space, and hospitality infrastructure within the broader Kingdom Kampala precinct.
According to earlier project outlines, the proposed Kingdom Kampala Hotel, which will be phase 3 of the project, is expected to deliver over 200 luxury rooms and penthouses, dozens of conference rooms, and more than 200 upscale apartments, positioning the complex as a destination for business tourism, regional conferences, and long-stay corporate travellers.
From vision to icon
Completed in 2019, Phase One delivered a vibrant mixed-use hub with extensive retail, modern offices and ample parking. Long-standing plans to add a luxury hotel have since gained momentum, with earlier disclosures pointing to around 200 rooms, suites, penthouses and upscale apartments.
Phase Two appears to realise that ambition—creating a fully integrated “vertical city” combining hospitality, corporate offices, retail and exclusive residences.
A game-changer for the capital
As Kampala urbanises rapidly, demand for world-class commercial and hospitality space continues to rise. A 21-storey tower with a helipad positions the city to host international executives, investors and tourists, strengthening competitiveness with regional peers. Beyond aesthetics, the project is expected to spur construction jobs, deepen supply chains and catalyse wider infrastructure improvements in the CBD.
“This isn’t just another building, it’s a marker of Kampala’s ascent as a modern African metropolis,” said a local real-estate analyst. “High-value features like a helipad attract sectors from energy to tech, injecting fresh dynamism into the city centre.”
Strengthening a legacy
For Ruparelia, founder and chairman of the Ruparelia Group, the Kingdom Kampala expansion reinforces a track record of landmark developments shaping Uganda’s commercial landscape.
Recent completions, including Pearl Tower One, underscore a strategy focused on premium, mixed-use assets that anchor long-term value and keep investment circulating domestically.
As Phase Two advances, Kingdom Kampala is poised to elevate not only the skyline but the city’s global profile, marking a confident next chapter in Kampala’s urban story.
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