Kampala, Uganda: President Yoweri Museveni Monday honoured entrepreneur Barot Harshad Maganbhai, the Founder and Chairperson of Tirupati Development (U) Limited, for his contribution to infrastructure development, job creation, and community empowerment.
Barot received the Distinguished Order of the Crested Crane (Grand Officer) during the 40th Liberation Day celebrations held at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, an annual event marking Uganda’s liberation struggle and post-conflict progress.
President Museveni said the recognition reflects the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government’s commitment to peace, stability, and private-sector-led growth—conditions he said have enabled both local and foreign investors to thrive and contribute to national development.
Who is Barot Harshad
Born on January 3, 1959, in India, Barot arrived in Uganda in 1993 with capital of about USD 150 and limited formal business experience. He began as a door-to-door hawker, selling household items while learning Uganda’s market dynamics.
Over time, his persistence and entrepreneurial vision translated into sustained investment, aided—according to the official citation—by a stable and supportive investment climate. His rise from modest beginnings to national recognition mirrors Uganda’s broader post-conflict recovery and economic expansion.
A turning point came in 2006 when Barot identified a shortage of affordable, eco-friendly infrastructure for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), particularly in rural and peri-urban areas. He opted to focus on cost-effective commercial and housing spaces aimed at decongesting cities while stimulating local economies.
Among his flagship projects is Kyebando Business Park along the Northern Bypass, now regarded as a benchmark for modern SME development. The facility hosts more than 200 SMEs and supports over 2,500 jobs through affordable, organised business space.
His portfolio also includes government infrastructure projects and the construction of a Health Centre IV in Adjumani, implemented in partnership with UNHCR, improving access to healthcare for host and refugee communities in northern Uganda.
President Museveni described Barot’s work as private-sector innovation aligned with national priorities, noting that it demonstrates how long-term investment can translate potential into tangible progress.
Beyond commercial ventures, Barot has maintained a strong focus on social responsibility. In 2019, he formally registered the LEELA Foundation in Uganda after years of informal international operations.
The foundation supports vulnerable communities in Kampala and surrounding areas, providing monthly food assistance to more than 300 elderly persons, alongside education sponsorships, vocational training, and youth and women empowerment programmes.
The citation by the Office of the President and the Presidential Awards Committee also referenced Barot’s earlier accolades, including Investor of the Year (UIA) 2009 for innovative real estate development, Investor of the Year 2010 for pioneering Uganda’s first bio-waste medical facility, and an Award for Exemplary Contribution to Property Development.
Recognition Under National Honours Framework
Established under the National Honours and Awards Act, Cap. 173, the Distinguished Order of the Crested Crane (Grand Officer) is reserved for foreign nationals whose work significantly advances Uganda’s development objectives.
Conferred during the 40th anniversary of the NRM-led liberation, the honour symbolised a link between Uganda’s revolutionary past and its aspirations for inclusive, private-sector-driven growth.
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