Veteran journalist Andrew Mwenda has paid tribute to business mogul Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia for his latest real estate milestone, the RR Pearl Tower One, a 22-storey office tower that now rises prominently along Yusuf Lule Road in Kampala.
In a message posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, Mwenda, who affectionately refers to Sudhir as his “grandson”, celebrated the new tower as “a classic case of beautiful architecture and great engineering.” He went on to praise the billionaire’s unusual approach to wealth, pointing out that unlike many others who move their money abroad, Sudhir is among the very few entrepreneurs who reinvest 99% of their wealth within Uganda. For Mwenda, this practice makes his achievements not only impressive but also patriotic, a direct contribution to building the nation’s economy and identity.
The RR Pearl Tower One is the first development in the ambitious RR Pearl Business Park masterplan, a project that is expected to reshape the heart of the city over the coming years. Its unveiling adds to the long line of ventures that Sudhir has completed, ventures which have steadily transformed Kampala’s skyline while providing thousands of jobs and opportunities. The tower represents much more than another commercial building. As Mwenda explained, such projects are “blueprints for national growth” and a clear sign that “Uganda’s future can be built by Ugandans, for Ugandans.”
Mwenda reminded his audience that this was not the first time Sudhir had delivered on a scale many considered impossible. He recalled the completion of a 3,800-seater convention centre at the Munyonyo Commonwealth Resort in December 2023, a project that included 16 breakout rooms and was built in only one year. At the time of its unveiling, Mwenda had shared a video of himself embracing Sudhir in a “big tight hug,” praising the achievement as “achieving the impossible” during Uganda’s fragile post-pandemic recovery. That convention centre has since become one of East Africa’s leading venues, hosting international conferences, creating thousands of new jobs, and drawing visitors from across the continent and beyond. It has been widely credited with giving Uganda a new competitive edge in the hospitality and events industry, and Mwenda views it as further proof of Sudhir’s relentless drive.
The friendship between Mwenda and Sudhir has spanned years and weathered difficult periods. Their bond was tested most visibly during Sudhir’s long-running legal battle with the Bank of Uganda over the closure of Crane Bank. Throughout the court saga, Mwenda was one of his most consistent defenders, often speaking out against what he saw as unfair treatment. When Sudhir eventually won a decisive victory in the Supreme Court, Mwenda publicly celebrated it as “a lesson in principled entrepreneurship.” For him, that moment illustrated not just a legal triumph, but also a story of resilience, principle, and perseverance in the face of enormous pressure.
Sudhir’s contributions to Uganda extend far beyond real estate towers and convention centres. Through his Ruparelia Foundation, he has invested heavily in education, healthcare, philanthropy, and community development. Schools and universities under his group have educated thousands of young Ugandans, while countless charitable initiatives have supported the underprivileged. His investments in hospitality and tourism have similarly created ripple effects that continue to support small businesses, suppliers, and workers. Mwenda has repeatedly said that Sudhir’s story should be viewed not just as a financial success, but as a human one. To him, Sudhir is more than a businessman; he is, in his own words, a “son, brother, friend, and mentor” whose vision motivates a generation of local entrepreneurs to believe in their own potential.
As the glass windows of RR Pearl Tower One reflect Kampala’s skyline, Mwenda argues that its legacy lies not only in its beauty but in its meaning. For him, every new project undertaken by Sudhir is proof that Uganda does not have to wait for outside investors to shape its future. It is evidence that the country’s growth can come from within, guided by those who trust the soil that nurtured them. In his final reflection on the project, Mwenda summed up this conviction simply: “He’s not just building structures. He’s building Uganda’s tomorrow.”
