At a time when misinformation is spreading rapidly across digital platforms, false and misleading reports have once again been circulated about prominent Ugandan businessman Sudhir Ruparelia. Several sensational headlines have wrongly claimed that he “lost” a Shs40 billion court case against dfcu Bank. These claims are inaccurate and misleading.
The High Court of Uganda has not dismissed Sudhir Ruparelia’s main lawsuit, nor has it ruled against his Shs40 billion claim. What the court decided was limited in scope. It ruled that Meera Investments Ltd, a company linked to Ruparelia, cannot yet recover restoration costs until dfcu Bank’s pending appeal is concluded. This decision does not amount to a loss of the case.
The core legal claim remains active and unresolved, and it continues to reflect the strength of Ruparelia’s position in this long-running legal matter.
Veteran journalist Remmy Asiteza publicly corrected the false narrative on X, formerly known as Twitter. He clarified that the court had not ruled against Ruparelia in any way. Asiteza explained that the High Court merely delayed the recovery of restoration costs until dfcu Bank’s appeal is fully determined.
He also shared screenshots of misleading online stories, including one headline that read, “Sudhir Ruparelia Loses Shs40bn Case Against dfcu Bank.” According to Asiteza, such headlines wrongly present a procedural delay as a final legal defeat, which is not supported by the court’s ruling.
This kind of reporting undermines professional journalism and unfairly harms the reputations of individuals involved.
The dispute dates back to 2016, when the Bank of Uganda took over Crane Bank, which was founded and built by Sudhir Ruparelia. The central bank cited insolvency and later transferred Crane Bank’s assets to dfcu Bank. Ruparelia has consistently argued that the assets were sold at a grossly undervalued price.
Crane Bank had grown into one of Uganda’s leading financial institutions, employing thousands of people and serving millions of customers. Following the takeover, Ruparelia began legal action to seek justice. Part of his claim includes Shs40 billion in restoration costs for properties he says were damaged or mishandled. He maintains that the takeover process involved serious irregularities, and he has presented evidence that is still being examined in court.
In addition to the case in Uganda, there is ongoing litigation in the United Kingdom. The UK High Court case involves claims of asset undervaluation estimated at £170 million, along with allegations related to corruption. Recent rulings in the UK have rejected attempts by dfcu to amend its defense and have allowed key evidence to be admitted. These developments have strengthened Ruparelia’s legal position.
Beyond the courtroom, Sudhir Ruparelia is widely known for his contribution to Uganda’s economy. His investments in real estate, education, banking, and hospitality have created thousands of jobs and supported national development. As a self-made entrepreneur, his business legacy spans decades of growth and innovation.
Despite this, he continues to face misleading attacks driven by inaccurate reporting. Watchdog Uganda has called on media houses to uphold accuracy and responsibility, stressing that facts should always come before sensationalism.
As the legal process continues and the appeal takes its course, Sudhir Ruparelia remains determined in his pursuit of justice, confident that the truth will ultimately prevail.
