RUPARELIA FOUNDATION - Key Persons
Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia is the founder and chairman of the Ruparelia Foundation. Born in 1956, in Kabatoro- Kasese district. Dr. Ruparelia's story of entrepreneurship is an inspiration in hard work.
In 2015, Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia was listed as the 27th wealthiest individual in Africa. He is most often in the public spotlight for his contribution towards the economy of Uganda as he was awarded the Golden Jubilee Presidential Medal by the president of Uganda, His Excellency President Yoweri Museveni on 9th, Oct, 2013.
On 25th, Oct, 2013, Dr. Sudhir was awarded the Honorary Doctorate of Laws by Uganda Pentecostal University and 2018, he received East Africa Business award. He was voted for his inspiration in Business Leadership for many people in the East African region.
His the third (3rd) generation of the Gujarit family born in Uganda after his great grandfather migrating to Uganda in 1903 from Mombasa, Kenya. He attended Bat Valley Primary School in Kampala, from P1 to P6, then Jinja Main Street Primary School in Jinja for Primary seven and Jinja Secondary School. In 1971, he joined Kololo Senior Secondary School.
In 1972 at the age of 16, Dr. Sudhir moved to the United Kingdom with his parents after the expulsion of all Asians from Uganda by the ruling president dictator Idi Amin Dada. While in UK, Dr. Ruparelia worked odd jobs in factories, supermarkets and butcheries to put himself through A' level. It was from such odd jobs that the then young and enthusiastic Sudhir made his first real savings.
In 1985, Dr. Sudhir returned to Uganda with US$25,000 earned from several casual jobs in UK. No challenge would stop the business enthusiastic Ruparelia, not even the ban on beer and spirit importation from Kenya, a business he had just started. This only pushed him to be more innovative which saw him start up Crane Forex bureau the first ever forex bureau in Uganda. Since then he has built the largest portfolio of properties in Uganda compromising of prime commercial, industrial and residential properties mainly in Kampala. He has further invested in the insurance, Hospitality, Education, Floriculture, Media and Leisure industry forming Ruparelia Group of Companies. Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia is married to Jyotsna, and they have three children: Meera, Sheena and Rajiv.
Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia is the founder and chairman of the Ruparelia Foundation. Born in 1956, in Kabatoro- Kasese district. Dr. Ruparelia's story of entrepreneurship is an inspiration in hard work. In 2015, Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia was listed as the 27th wealthiest individual in Africa. He is most often in the public spotlight…
Mrs. Jyotsna Ruparelia has been instrumental on the growth and expansion of the Ruparelia Group business with active participation in the operations and management of the insurance, property development and investments and all other business ventures, assisting in making policy decisions and directing the management in the successful operation of the of the various businesses. Her expertise is in foreign exchange operations and financial management. Jyotsna is well-known for her expert decision-making and management skills which have seen her successfully co-steered the various businesses to success.
Mrs. Jyostna's background is an inspiring story of "Rags to Riches". She was born in Kamuli district in the Eastern region of Uganda. She lived with her family in their two bedroomed house which she shared with the whole family. From time to time, she would stay with her aunties and uncles a common practice in Uganda for poor families because of the living standards.
When the Indians were expelled from Uganda by President Amin, Mrs. Jyostsna's family moved to United Kingdom where she worked in a supermarket to earn a living. It was in this supermarket where were she met Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia
She has experience working in management and control of foreign exchange operations which she got while working in the UK as a manager with Express Travel Bureau and as a trainee banker with Midland Banking in its foreign exchange department.
Mrs. Jyotsna Ruparelia is a co-founder of the Ruparelia Foundation and she heads the grants division. she is an active boardmember of several group companies of the Ruparelia Group.
Mrs. Jyotsna Ruparelia Mrs. Jyotsna Ruparelia has been instrumental on the growth and expansion of the Ruparelia Group business with active participation in the operations and management of the insurance, property development and investments and all other business ventures, assisting in making policy decisions and directing the management in the successful operation…
Job Titles:
- Member on Board of Trustees
Meera is a member on Board of Trustees of the Ruparelia Foundation and her interest is wildlife and environment conservation, a passion she shares with her father Dr.Ruparelia. She holds a BSc. Investment and Financial Risk Management from City University, London.
Mrs. Meera Meera was born on December 12, 1985. She is married to Mr. Ravi Kotecha. Since June, 2010 to date, she is the Head of Developments at Meera Investments which manages over 300 properties in the country, the Senior Property Manager at Crane Management Services from June 2010 to date and heads the Operations…
Job Titles:
- Member on Board of Trustees
Sheena is a member on Board of Trustees of the Ruparelia Foundation and her interest is the disadvantaged children in rural areas. She has been instrumental in changing the lives of the orphans she has met in several of the orphanages the foundation works with.
Mrs. Sheena Sheena was born on December 23rd, 1988. She is married to Mr. Jay Sakaria. She holds a BSc. Economics and Accountancy from City University, London. Sheena is a member on Board of Trustees of the Ruparelia Foundation and her interest is the disadvantaged children in rural areas. She has been instrumental in changing…
Job Titles:
- Member on Board of Trustees
Naiya Khagram Ruparelia was born on June 8th, 1990. She is married to Rajiv Ruparelia. She holds a BA. Journalism from City University, London. From January 2009 to 2012, she served as the sales manager at Success Resources. She then became a director at Boots Opticians Hertfordshire handling Marketing, Business development and staff training. In 2014 she became a Director in charge of Business development and Marketing at The Boutique Portal/The Skin Miracle. She is currently a Director at Victoria University-Uganda providing business development strategies and over all university leadership
Naiya is a member on Board of Trustees of the Ruparelia Foundation and her interest is wildlife and environment conservation and mental health.
Rajiv Ruparelia, a Ruparelia Foundation trustee made the announcement after meeting Fresh Kid at his office in Kampala. "I was moved by his ambition being only seven years old. I would love to see him become a guide and inspiration to many young people out there hence, Ruparelia Foundation is presenting this young man with a full scholarship from the Ruparelia Foundation to go to Kampala Parents School," Rajiv said.
Mr. Rajiv Just like his father Dr. Ruparelia, Rajiv was born in Uganda on January,2nd,1990. He is married to Mrs. Naiya Khagram Ruparelia and is a graduate of Financial Management from Regents College London. Rajiv manages several family businesses. He is currently serving as the Managing Director of the Ruparelia Group. He is responsible for…