Sudhir Ruparelia is a Ugandan investor, entrepreneur and renowned businessman of Indian origin. According to ceo.co.ug, he is the richest man in Uganda and ranks among the top five wealthiest people in East Africa.
The billionaire lives in a US$10 million (approximately Ksh1,1 billion) home christened ‘The Ruparelia Residence’.
Sudhir is the founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ruparelia Group – a conglomerate that consists of over 28 companies with interests in real estate, financial services, agriculture, education services, banking, hospitality and the media.
The group has over 8000 employees, many of whom are women. One of his companies, Meera Investments Limited, is currently the largest developer of commercial and residential space with over 300 properties spread across Uganda.
The company also owns the largest number of ongoing real estate projects and is the biggest private owner of commercial land in Kampala, Uganda. The businessman and his family live in the Ksh 1 billion Ruparelia Residence in Kampala. He also owns mansions in London and Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Inside Billionaire’s Residence
The Ksh 1 billion residence is located on Plot 9, Kawalya Kaggwa Close, lower Kololo in Uganda. According to ceo.co.ug, the mansion was designed by Sudhir’s wife Jyostna Ruparelia in collaboration with the Group architect Kristen Kirsten. Each of the Ruparelia family members had a chance to design their own living spaces according to their tastes and preferences.
Sudhir bought the property in 1990 at a cost of USD200,000 (approximately Kshs23 million)which he paid in instalments. He would then demolish the old house that sat in the property to pave way for the construction of the imposing mansion.
Sudhir Ruparelia stately residence has four floors with a built up area of 9,000 square meters while parking, gardens and swimming pool taking up 4,000 square meters bringing the total to 13,000 square meters. The mansion has 16 bedrooms – 8 for staff workers and 8 for the family members. The family section consists of a 3 bedroom wing for Rajiv Ruparelia, 1 bedroom for the senior Ruparelias, 1 for Sheena Ruparelia, 1 for Meera Ruparelia and 2 other bedrooms for guests.
The house cost just above a billion to design, build and furnish, a process that took four years to complete. Apart from the 16 bedrooms, the mansion has a banquet room that can host up to 160 people, 5 kitchens, several lounges, several dining rooms, a 12 seater cinema, over 3 bars, a wine cellar, a gym, saloon and spa, laundry room and a cafeteria for the staff workers.
The house has a total of 46 domestic workers who ensure everything runs smoothly. The wine cellar room which is temperature controlled holds over 33,000 bottles of 200 varieties of vintage wines and whiskeys. While speaking during an exclusive interview with The CEO East Africa Magazine, Sudhir revealed that he pays a monthly electricity bill of UGX28 million (approximately Ksh 881,000).
The 66 year old (born 17 January 1956) net worth as of 2019 was US$1.2 billion, making him the wealthiest individual in Uganda.
(Adapted from whownskenya.com)