By Annet Kobusingye
Uganda’s celebrated billionaire and business magnate, Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia, has opened up about his early struggles and the foundational lessons that shaped his journey to success.
Speaking in a reflective video interview via his official social media channels, Sudhir recounted how, at just 20 years old, he managed to save enough money while living in the United Kingdom to place a deposit on his first house.
“When I was 20 years old, I saved enough money, about 5,000 to 6,000 pounds, to put a deposit for a house,” Sudhir said. “I got a 12,000-pound mortgage and bought a house when I was just 20.”
Sudhir detailed his early years in England, where he took on various modest jobs to make ends meet.
“In the meantime, I worked in a bakery, a butchery, in supermarkets, and in factories,” he shared. “It was part of my life, but I have no regrets. I treasure every bit of the job I did, and it is the experience from those jobs that has made me who I am.”
The Ugandan Property Mogul emphasized the value of humility and hard work, urging young people never to look down on any type of employment. “Never, ever feel any job is too small for you,” he advised. “That’s why today I understand hotel kitchens, I understand the details of every operation.”
A Billionaire Built from Ground Up
Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia, now chairman of the Ruparelia Group, stands as one of Uganda’s most influential businessmen. His empire spans real estate, hospitality, banking, agriculture, and education.
According to Forbes, a magazine that ranks billionaires, Sudhir is consistently ranked as Uganda’s richest man, with an estimated net worth of over $1.2 billion.
He owns premier properties in Kampala, including Speke Resort Munyonyo, Kabira Country Club, Crane Chambers, and several other luxury commercial and residential developments.
