Kampala City, Uganda: Ruparelia Group Chairman Dr Sudhir Ruparelia has defended the contribution of Ugandan entrepreneurs of Asian origin to the country’s economy, citing their role in job creation, industrial growth, investment and tax revenue generation.
Speaking during a wide-ranging discussion at Crane Chambers, Ruparelia said businesses owned by Ugandans of Indian origin are creating employment opportunities and driving economic transformation rather than taking jobs away from local citizens.
“I’m employing over ten thousand people,” Ruparelia said.
According to the billionaire businessman, Uganda’s Asian community comprises roughly 30,000 people out of a national population of about 50 million. Despite its relatively small size, he argued that the community contributes significantly to investment, manufacturing and national revenue.
Ruparelia pointed to sectors such as manufacturing, hospitality, real estate and services as areas where entrepreneurs of Asian origin have made substantial investments over the years.
He also stressed the importance of tax compliance, describing taxation as both a legal obligation and a civic responsibility. “As a citizen of the country, it is my obligation to pay taxes,” he said.
Ruparelia revealed that companies under the Ruparelia Group remit billions of shillings in taxes annually.
According to him, one company within the group pays approximately Shs2.5 billion in Value Added Tax (VAT) every month and contributes around Shs30 billion annually in corporation tax.
He further disclosed that he is among the largest taxpayers in Uganda’s real estate sector, paying more than Shs12 billion in taxes alongside an additional Shs9 billion to Shs10 billion in VAT obligations.
Beyond direct taxes, Ruparelia noted that the group also remits withholding taxes, employee-related statutory deductions and other government obligations through its various businesses.
The businessman attributed much of his success to disciplined management systems and strong financial oversight.
He explained that although the Ruparelia Group operates across diverse sectors including hospitality, real estate, education, floriculture and leisure, each business is managed through professional structures and dedicated accounting systems.
According to Ruparelia, effective financial management allows managers to focus on their primary responsibilities without becoming distracted by administrative challenges.
Using educational institutions as an example, he argued that school administrators should prioritise delivering quality education while specialised finance teams handle accounting and financial controls.
Ruparelia also shared insights into his personal business philosophy, saying he only ventures into sectors that genuinely interest him.
“When you enjoy doing something, then you’re doing it with passion,” he said.
At 70 years old, Ruparelia described maintaining a relatively simple lifestyle, revealing that his breakfast often consists of coffee, fruit or biscuits as part of efforts to maintain good health.
Beyond business, he also serves as Nepal’s Honorary Consul in Uganda, a role he said focuses on assisting Nepali citizens and strengthening bilateral relations between Uganda and Nepal.
The veteran entrepreneur further reflected on Uganda’s economic progress over the past decades, praising improvements in stability, infrastructure development and industrialisation.
He pointed to rising property values, increasing factory numbers and growth in local manufacturing as indicators of economic advancement.
According to Ruparelia, many products currently found on supermarket shelves are now manufactured locally, demonstrating the country’s expanding industrial base.
He observed that while many indigenous Ugandan investors have traditionally concentrated on trade and real estate, entrepreneurs of Asian origin have often prioritised manufacturing, hospitality and industrial development.
The discussion also touched on the legacy of his late son, Rajiv Ruparelia, whose death sent shockwaves through Uganda’s business community.
Ruparelia described Rajiv as an impactful entrepreneur whose achievements continue to inspire many people despite his relatively short life.
His 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 Ruparelia, Uganda’s economic journey mirrors his own story of resilience and enterprise, built on opportunity, hard work, discipline and long-term investment.
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