Who Are the Richest People in Uganda?

Jul 14, 2008
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Source: http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/2007/04/09/2470873.htm

(New Vision (Uganda) Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge) FROM real estate to mineral water: Who are the richest people in Uganda?

INGENUITY, not industry, is the common characteristic of the people who have featured in our rich list. These people made money in everything from media and real estate to coffee, farming and road haulage. The list is not limited to Ugandans and it includes individuals and families born overseas, but who predominantly work and/or live in Uganda.

We have measured identifiable wealth, whether land, property or significant shares in publicly quoted companies and we have excluded bank accounts - to which we have no access.

There are probably a number of other wealthy individuals or families that we cannot know about because we have no way of ascertaining their wealth. They not only keep a low profile, but also avoid anything that will associate themselves with wealth.

Rather than list the person or family in an A, B or C class, we have categorised them into classes. The rich list does not include individuals who are actively engaged in politics like Members of Parliament or ministers. We shall publish that list separately when we access records of the declaration of their wealth.

The Fast Money Class

THESE are the people most of us never hear about or even know. Most of their businesses are concentrated between Kampala Road going down to Arua Park, Kikuubo, Luwum Street, the Old Park and New Taxi Park in the city and similar places in most towns. Most of their transactions are in hard cash rather than cheques. A good number of them have also ventured out into the lucrative money-lending trade. Their passports would most likely be filled with visas to Dubai. They are not the sort you would find in the Kampala Serena, but sitting quietly in The Tavern on Kampala Road, TLC on George Street and attending the odd album launch at Sabrina's Pub. The women are most likely driving a Pajero short chassis, while the men drive a Toyota kibina.

Alooni Mwagalwa: Luweero-based Mwagalwa is the owner of Nakaseke International College, which is the largest private education institution in Luweero District. He also owns several businesses in Kampala and is an agent for Uganda Breweries.

George Kahwa: The Fort Portal-based Kahwa is the proprietor of Cornerstone Business that includes Heart Beat Discotheque and a hotel.

Haruna Musiwa: Based in Mbale, Haruna Musiwa has made a pile of money from moneylending. That aside, he is a farmer and into real estate.

SulaIman Mafabi Lumolo: A Mbale tycoon who has made fast money from importing cars.

Johnson Ocol: A construction company owner, Ocol, who is based in Lira, owns petrol stations and fuel tankers. He is also trades between Uganda, the UK and Dubai. He is into real estate as well.

Elisha Kakyomya: Based in Fort Portal, Kakyomya owns several tea estates in Kabarole. He has a number of houses which he rents out to Mountains of the Moon University. His property interests aside, he has made some money as a Uganda Breweries agent.

Acaali Kobusinge: Kobusinge owns several storeyed buildings on Rukidi Street in Fort Portal and is known to drive several plush cars.

Drake Lubega: He is well known among the business community that operates around Luwum Street in Kampala. His business portfolio includes Qualicel Bus Terminal, Sun City Arcade, Majestic Plaza and SB Plaza.

Steven Njubi: Despite being among the richest people in Iganga, Njubi is a down-to-earth man. It is common to find the moneyed trader wearing grubby attire and bathroom slippers at one of his numerous construction sites in Iganga town. Njubi boasts numerous multi-million shilling assets and buildings under construction in both Iganga and Jinja towns. In Iganga, the tycoon owns Victoria High School, an incomplete shopping mall behind Crane Bank plus an imposing proposed hotel structure on Saza Road. He had to part with over sh300m to buy all the adjacent buildings from immediate neighbours so as to set up the expansive hotel structure.

Moses Kyatwoha: Bushenyi-based Kyatwoha, is the director of MK Petrol stations in Kampala and Bushenyi.

Aggrey Twimukye: Twimukye owns several buildings in Mbarara Municipality. He also owns Oxford Hotel.

Olet Elyak: He owns fleets of buses, an assembling plant, a construction company and a hotel complex in Lira.

Gluepot Sande: He owns several buildings on Mugurusi Street in Fort Portal and has a road haulage company under the name of PEKASA.

George Atyam: He owns chunks of land and rental and commercial houses in Kabale. He is also an agent for Uganda Breweries and Crown Beverages.

Bosco Ogwang Edola: Lira-based Edola owns the White House Hotel and is constructing another multi-million shilling hotel on the outskirts of town. He also owns a number fuel stations and is a timber dealer.

Apollo Ntegamahe: The Kabale-based businessman has over 30 trailers and exports produce to Rwanda and Burundi. He was recently given an award by President Yoweri Museveni for being a good exporter.

Sebastian Munulo aka Mwaana: Munulo owns the popular Mwaana Highway Hotel on Main Street in Iganga town. It is a popular spot for tourists and local travellers going through Iganga.

Chris Kafule: Kafule controls C. K. Distributors in Wandegeya. Kafule has made vast sums of money from his beer distributing chain and has invested heavily in real estate.

Dr. Herman Kigoye: Kigoye owns Byansi Clinic and Laboratory Services in Masaka Town. He also has a number of buildings in Masaka and Kalisizo in Rakai. He is the main supplier of drugs and medical equipment to health units in Masaka.

Hajat Sarah Kiyimba: Kiyimba owns Hotel Brovad and is said to be one of the richest people in Masaka.

Haji Ali Halari Kamru: Kamru is the owner of GASO Transport Company, which has a fleet of over 25 coaches plying the route between Kampala and Bujumbura, Kigali, Mutukula and other areas.

Andrew Kasagga aka Zzimwe: Kasagga should have been in the Super-Rich Class, but a series of bad investments and deals have seen his wealth plummet.

Vincent Opio: He is the northern region British America Tobacco Uganda distributor based in Lira. He owns a number of warehouses, a car rental service and fully furnished residential rental houses.

Moses Kalungi: He is into property, the most famous being Kalungi Plaza.

Joseph Behakanira: Though his hotel on Entebbe Road collapsed, that did not halt Behakanira. His Bwebajja Hotel is still on course and he also owns the Avemar Complex near the Old Taxi Park.

Bernard Ogwang Ocwoo: Based in Lira, Ocwoo owns a multi-billion shilling private hospital and a construction company. He also supplies food to the UPDF and WFP.

Josephine Kizza: She was not heard of until President Museveni and his Cabinet visited her Masaka farm last month. Her farming efforts reportedly reap close to sh50m a month.

Patrick Lucky: The director of a fleet of over 50 buses running under Kalita Bus Services that operate in Kampala and Nairobi. He is based in Fort Portal.

Stephen Mugasa: Mugasa is The New Vision agent in Fort Portal. That aside, he owns a string of houses on the prestigious Mugurusi Street which he rents out to NGOs and upper society folk.

Kayonza: Everybody who lives in Bugolobi right down to Luzira would have heard of Kayonza. Though most people know him for his beer distribution business, the unassuming Kayonza is into the road haulage business as well as property.

Michael Awany: Awany owns over eight fuelling stations in Lira and Masindi districts. He is currently constructing a fuel depot and also owns a number of residential rental houses.

George Namachi: A prominent Busia-based businessman, Namachi owns all the buildings on Nebolola Lane. That aside, he is reported to have estates in Kampala.

Emmanuel Amaza: Based in Adjumani, he owns Zawadi Hotel. He is also the chairman of a construction company in the district and one of the largest estate owners. He handled the construction of the district headquarters as well as bridges.

Fred Akampumuza: Into real estate. He owns the Akamwesi hostels in Kampala and a number of apartments.

Felix Orii: Is a distributor for Nile Breweries and Crown Beverages products in Adjumani District.

Charles Muhangi: The man from Mbarara is heavily into the transport business with his Horizon buses.

Omar Mandela: Owns the chain of Mandela Auto Spares in Kampala and some real estate.

George Kermundu Adubango aka K G: He is the founder of K. G. Engineering and Construction Works based in Nebbi. He has probably constructed more bridges and classroom blocks in West Nile than any other construction firm. He has also invested in estates.

Philip Mangeni Aremo: The Busia-born Aremo has estates in Busia, deals in beef and owns Aremo Hotel and Black and White Hotel on Customs Road. He also owns Busime Sand Beach on the shores of Lake Victoria and Melons Bar in Mukono.

Timothy Jokkene: The Gulu-based Jokkene owns petrol stations in Gulu and several other towns.

Kakanyero: He is a businessman with many estates in Gulu town. Kakanyero owns a large student hostel rented by students of Gulu University. He also owns Kakanyero Hotel.

Ben Kavuuya: He is a moneylender operating in Kampala city.

Young, Self-Employed Class

THEY are not quite in the league of the super-rich, but nevertheless are on the move up the ladder. Some of them are likely to move into the Super-Rich Class in years to come.

Peter Niwagaba: Niwagaba has eight petrol stations in Kabale and Kampala. He is also into property - commercial and residential - and land.

Crescent Baguma: The Fort Portal-based Baguma is the proprietor of BCR Road Unit. It is said that his mansion has bulletproof windows. He also has a passion for cars and owns a Hummer.

Enid Atalyeba: She is the director of Shell Uganda Fort Portal and owns ATACO Country Resort.

Elvis Sekyanzi: Though he has a famous father in Gordon Wavammuno, Sekyanzi broke out of his father's shadow. He is a shareholder in WBS Television, Simba Radio, Hot 100 FM and Club Silk. He is also a part owner of the company that hosts the PAM Awards annually.

Robinah Bwita: She is the director of Travellers Inn, Fort Portal.

Ivan Batuma: The gifted engineer from Kabale owns Highland Hotel, Overland Camp at Lake Bunyonyi and a large chunk of land.

Sylvia Owori: The fashion designer has real estate on Bulago Island and is the owner of African Woman magazine.

Arthur Busingye: The reclusive Busingye has interests in Cineplex Cinema in Kampala and real estate. There is also mention of a coffee export business and transportation firm.

Halima Wakabhu: She is the proprietor of Green Circle School in Fort Portal.

Peter Sematimba: Peter 'super duper' Sematimba is perhaps one of the most flamboyant men in Kampala. Despite standing for the Kampala mayorship and losing, Sematimba always had his Super FM and Dungeon Studios to fall back on.

Eric Byenkya: He is still making money from his law firm.

Oscar Kihika: Like his law partner, Eric Byenkya, Kihika has amassed a fortune from law. He is also trying to get his singing career off the ground, though it is unlikely that the revenue he will earn from CD sales will match what he makes from his law firm.

Edwin Karugire: People say he made his money because he married President Museveni's daughter. However, those who really know Karugire dismiss that notion. His company, Kiwanuka, Karugire and Co. Advocates is very successful. A modest man who is not averse to buying drinks for the boys, he has also branched out into the lucrative business of selling airtime cards, and has a franchise on Entebbe Road.

Kiryowa Kiwanuka: Like his law firm partner Edwin Karugire, Kiwanuka is very intelligent, witty and has tales that can go on until the end of the world. Though already rich and successful, there is a lot more to come from him.

Isaac Mulindwa: Prominent as the face of the PAM Awards, Mulindwa owns a construction firm in Florida, US, that generates an income of over $100,000 a year. He also has interests in Club Silk, Hot 100 FM and Radio Simba.

Masembe Kanyerezi: Kanyerezi made a mark when he attached Thomas Katto's Mercedes Benz when the courts closed down Katto's International Credit Bank. Aside from his law firm and real estate, he owns the dry cleaning franchise, Spotclean.

Andrew Rugasira: Famed for bringing South African artiste, Lucky Dube, to Uganda. Though he closed down VR Promotions, he is back on his feet selling his Good African Coffee on the shelves of Selfridges and Tesco in England, as well as Shoprite Checkers in South Africa.

Kenneth Kizza aka Gumpo: Selling airtime has made him very wealthy. He is one of the few people in town who own a Humvee. A tale is told that while at a wedding in Mbarara, as President Museveni was leaving the function, he saw Gumpo's Humvee literally parked on an ant hill. Pausing to look at the monster car, he asked one of his security detail if the car was one of theirs.

Charlie Lubega: He owns some real estate downtown on top of his successful Ange Noir night club and a business in London.

Jitu Parma: The Tile Centre boss has built himself a fortune from selling tiles.

Charles Odere: Another lawyer who has made a pile of money. He also owns a hotel in Pallisa.

Alan Shonubi: Shonubi owns Shoal House on Bombo Road and a number of other properties, including a house to die for in Kololo. He also has a successful law firm.

Nina Karugaba: Whoever said that interior designing does not pay should have a look at the success of Karugaba. Not only did she build the three-storeyed building on Jinja Road that houses her flagship store, Nina Interiors, she has also accumulated property both in Kampala and Kabale.

James Nyakuni: Known for the fleet of new white GaaGaa buses that ply the Kampala-West Nile route, he started in a humble way. After dropping out of school in P7 he went into brickmaking and building before starting a stall in Arua dealing in metal fabrications. Later he tried a bicycle spares shop. It is trading in fuel and cigarettes that saw him travel to Nairobi occasionally on business trips out of which his business acumen was nourished. He established a business branch in northeastern DR Congo before venturing into transportation. Nyakuni is also a real estate mogul with expensive houses in Arua and Kampala.

The CEO Class

By virtue of the jobs they hold as top managers and CEOs, this group are paid well enough. The people we have picked for this category are those who normally command space in the newspapers and are visible in society. Some of them own their own businesses, but they are not yet up there.

Maggie Kigozi: The executive director of the Uganda Investment Authority has the task of convincing people that Uganda is the right place to invest their money.

David Chandi Jamwa: A former partner with PriceWaterhouse Coopers, Chandi is the managing director of the National Social Security Fund. It is a fund with quite a bit of political interest.

Emmanuel Tumusiime Mutebile: As the governor of the Bank of Uganda, Mutebile virtually controls the direction of the nation's economy.

Ivan Kyayonka: Since he left university, Kyayonka has dedicated his life to Shell. He is one of those people who started at the bottom of the ranks and has risen to become country manager.

Allen Kagina: As head of the Uganda Revenue Authority, Kagina commands a hefty pay cheque.

Richard Byarugaba: High-flyer in the banking industry who was recently appointed to a top position in Barclays Bank.

Baker Magunda: The MD of Uganda Breweries.

William Muhairwe: The CEO of National Water and Sewerage Corporation owns the glass building that houses the Japanese Embassy in Nakasero.

Conrad Nkutu: The troubled MD of The Monitor newspaper is a force to be reckoned with, not only because of his pay cheque but because he also controls the opposition media.

William Kalema: A graduate of Cambridge University in England, Kalema is very intelligent and astute. He has worked in the US and Zambia. He also sits on a number of boards and has also been known to write some speeches for President Museveni. He owns a Bugolobi-based consultancy.

Charles Hamya: Patience pays. From a sales executive at Multichoice, Hamya has risen to the post of MD. Apart from that, he is investing in real estate with Kololo Heights.

Tom Mugenga: Mugenga is into clearing and forwarding. He sits in a simple office in Industrial Area in Kampala, but recently expanded his business and opened up an office in Mombasa. Apart from that he also invested heavily in a fleet of SCANIA trucks.

Mariam Luyombo: She started off with Taibah High School in Kawempe. Since then she has expanded her chain of schools to three and there is every indication that a fourth is on its way.

Martin Drito: The managing director of Drito Global Corporation, a firm that deals in precious minerals and timber. He has life membership on some international gold associations. With a plush office on Workers House the Arua-born Drito cruises a Jaguar, Mercedes S class and a Lexus, all with personalised number plates.

Expatriate Class

David Njoroge: With sales from Hima Cement reaching new heights, Njoroge is assured of a hefty pay cheque.

A. R. Kalan: The managing director of Crane Bank, which pays him well enough for him to afford to own his own boat, which is moored at Speke Resort Munyonyo.

Ian Sturrock: The managing director of dfcu Bank.

David Cutting: The managing director of Standard Chartered Bank.

Kitili Mbathi: The managing director of Stanbic Bank.

Nick Mbuvi: One of the youngest managing directors of Barclays Bank.

William Pike: The CEO of Capital FM and co-owner of Kenya's KISS and Classic FM. He owns a mansion and apartments to let in Bugolobi.

Eric van Veen: As chief operating officer of the largest telecommunications provider in the country, he is a force to be reckoned with.

Ian Clarke: Clarke moved his International Hospital from Old Kampala to Namuwongo, and it is one of the most successful private hospitals in Uganda.

Patrick Quarcoo: Advertising pays. With his company QG Saatchi and Saatchi doing the advertising for the much-sought-after MTN account, he is raking in the cash. He also has interests in Cool Graphics, Capital FM and KISS FM in Nairobi. Very flamboyant and has the gift of the gab.

Cathy Watson: With donor money, Cathy Watson started off Straight Talk Foundation from a small office in Bukoto, advising the youth about sexual matters and HIV/AIDS. Since then she has incorporated Young Talk and also Tree Talk. Straight Talk recently moved into bigger office next door to Capital FM.

The Religious Class

RELIGION is big. It sells and the new breed of God's men and women know how to get the money rolling in. They don't stand at the pulpit and give boring sermons. They excite, dazzle and woo the congregation. And when the time comes for the congregation to make their offerings, they dig deep into their pockets.

Pastor K. L. Dickson: He is one of the richest pastors in Fort Portal. He is the President of World Evangelical Ministries, Kabarole Christian Fellowship and he owns Life FM and King Oyo Secondary School.

Pastor Robert Kayanja: As head of Miracle Centre in Lubaga, Kayanja wields clout that goes to the very upper echelons of the state. Successful and smart, he has built a massive house on the shore of Lake Victoria in Bunga.

Pastor Gary Skinner: Like Kayanja, Skinner holds clout. When Kampala Pentecostal Church came to life, it was a simple church on Kampala Road. However, KPC now has five branches and a congregation that is bursting at the seams.

Pastor Imelda Namutebi: As head of Liberty Worship Centre, Namutebi is a force to be reckoned with. She has also seen a massive growth in her wealth.

Bishop Cyprian Bamwoze: Owns a large farm in Nakabango in Kamuli District, where he is based after his retirement. He lives a frugal life and drives in a Datsun 1200 pick-up, a mismatch to his wealth.

Old Money Class

THIS is a class of people who made their money back in the 1960s through to the 1970s, and still have the money in 2007. The Old Money Class have large chunks of real estate which has been passed on through generations and rarely do they sell any of it off.

Karmali Mukwano: One of the most reclusive tycoons there is in town. In fact if he were to walk though town, he would get by unrecognised. When it comes to manufacturing he tops the list in that almost every household in Uganda has something that comes from him. His Mukwano Industries manufactures everything from cooking oil to soap to plastics.

The Madhvani Family: The Mahdvanis, under the stewardship of Mayur, have it all. Not only do they have their own private airfield at Kakira, they also own private jets with a full-time British female pilot at the ready all year round. They already had enough money in the bank, not to mention the millions of dollars they made when they sold Nile Breweries to South Africans. It is rumoured that to fly round their estate in Kakira by plane takes a staggering 12 minutes!

The Kasoma Family: The Kasoma family in Luweero are old money. Adudu Kasoma was a coffee trader and the family own large tracts of land and several commercial buildings in Luweero District.

Ben Okiror: The Soroti-based Okiror runs the successful Kakiase Enterprise, which deals in general business, including agricultural produce.

Rose Rohrer: Her late husband, Max, was one of the founders of the successful construction firm, Roko. With his fortune he amassed a considerable chunk of real estate, including homes in the Seychelles and Switzerland.

Rainer Kohler: Has made a fortune through Roko Construction.

The Mehta Family: They are into sugar production from a large estate in Lugazi town, Mukono District. They also own the largest metal fabrication works in the country.

John Ssebaana Kizito: Property magnate with several buildings in Kampala, including Sure House on Bombo Road. Ssebaana also owns swathes of land in Kampala and Kyaggwe in Mukono District. He is also the majority shareholder in Statewide Insurance Company.

John Kulubya: Firmly old money who owns a large chunk of Kampala's real estate.

Jaberi Bidandi Ssali: It is believed that his tenure as a minister could have obstructed him from growing his wealth, but nevertheless he is still wealthy. In his early days he acquired estates and chunks of land in Kampala, particularly in Nakawa Division. Now he has ventured into money-minting entertainment and recreation at Kiwatule in Kampala.

Gordon Wavamunno: Wavamunno has been around for a while and is a household name in Uganda. Not only does he own one of the finest homes in the land on the shores of Lake Victoria in Munyonyo, he is into real estate, with buildings and land in Mbarara, at the Equator and in Gayaza. He also owns a string of houses behind Uganda Breweries in Luzira and in Ggaba as well. He owns the Mercedes Benz car dealership here and has recently branched out into bottling water. Not only does he own WBS Television, he also has shares in Radio Simba and United Assurance. He also owns expensive antiques, including a coffee table which they say he bought for a staggering $100,000.

Eng. Ezekiel Balaba: He is the brother of finance minister Ezra Suruma and deals in cutting and selling timber. He also has vast tracts of land in Kabale, Kanungu and Rukungiri districts.

The Muliras: They own large tracts of land in Kampala.

James Mulwana: From humble beginnings, Mulwana has steadily built up an empire. Just about every household has one of his plastic products. He owns Nice House of Plastics, Jesa Farms, Uganda Batteries and a flat near Marble Arch in London. He sits on the board of a number of companies. He is soft-spoken and humble and does not show any signs of wealth. He does not even own a car with personalised number plates.

Can. Dr. John Batuma: Batuma is a dairy farmer, a businessman and has estates in Kabale and Kampala. He has well-educated and rich children such as Norman Batuma and Eng. Ivan Mbabazi Batuma, who are consolidating the family riches and status. He is said to have banked money on fixed interest-earning accounts.

Patrick Okumu Ringa: Thrived on the Peugeot franchise as a local agent over 20 years ago. During the boom period, he constructed several houses including a towering storeyed building that has become a landmark in Nebbi town. His wealth still counts in the estates he owns, even though many of them are incomplete.

The Hared Family: They have invested vastly in the petroleum business. The family of Somali origin has several fuel stations throughout Busoga and beyond. The Jinja-based family also runs petrol stations in Tororo.

Cranimer Kaaya: He is the owner of Kaaya Ranch in Butuntumula Sub-county, Luweero District, with an expansive herd of cattle.

Abdulrahman Ahmed and brothers: It is a family of brothers from Yemen who have settled in East Africa for many years now. Based in Arua, they own the oldest surviving Nile Coach bus company which endured hard times when the Lord's Resistance Army rebels burnt several of their buses. Nevertheless, the company is still strong. Ahmed is also a real estate mogul in Arua and Kampala.

The Super Rich Class

THESE are the super-rich of Uganda. They are the people who have made it and are still making it. Not only do they own a string of companies, they own a big chunk of real estate which rakes in enough money to project an impressive balance sheet.

Sikander Lalani: The boss of Roofings Limited has seen revenue jump almost 70%. Exports are up, especially to Juba, the DRC and Rwanda. Recently married to a former Miss Uganda contestant, Sikander lives a lavish life in a plush Kololo house. Work aside, he is only person in Uganda to convince the management of Sheraton Hotel to close down Rhino Pub for the night so that he could have a private party in there. He is set to spend sh53b constructing a steel rolling plant in Namanve.

Joseph Roy: Captain Roy has been in the airline industry for quite a while. He owns Das Air Cargo, Royal Daisy Airline and Daisy House on the way to Entebbe Airport. He is also into ranching and owns a number of commercial properties. The closure of his Africa One airline some years ago did not really dent his fortune.

Sudhir Ruparelia: Not only is Ruparelia into banking with his Crane Bank, he also owns Goldstar Insurance. In addition, he owns a large chunk of real estate which includes Bauman House, Customs House, the former British High Commission on Parliament Avenue and a large chunk of Kisementi. He owns three hotels - Kabira Country Club, Speke Hotel and Speke Resort Munyonyo. Schools aside - Kabira International School and Kampala Parents - he owns Sanyu FM, Rosebud flower farm and a number of other companies.

Abid Alam: While the Alams are recluses, they used to own Gold Trust Bank until they sold it off to dfcu. Not that they needed the money; they are into manufacturing, with interests in steel rolling in Uganda and Kenya.

Bulayimu Muwanga Kibirige aka BMK: He is virtually responsible for the importation of motorcycles into the country. He owns a string of motorcycle shops in Ndeeba and also owns Hotel Africana.

Karim Hirji: He used to be rather flamboyant until he quit motor racing to concentrate on his hotels - Grand Imperial, Botanical Hotel, Imperial Resort Hotel and one which is still under construction next to Serena Hotel. He recently bought a house in Nakasero from Barclays Bank for $1m.

Martin Aliker: He is a shrewd businessman who is firmly into corporate business. Respected by many, he is either a board member or board chairman of a number of companies.

Patrick Bitature: When MTN came to town, people used to mock Bitature for being just a simple man who sold airtime. However, from his first shop at Grand Imperial Hotel, he built up a chain of outlets and has managed to amass himself a fortune.

Bitature owns Simba Telecom and has an interest in National Insurance Corporation. He also owns airtime dealerships in Kenya, Tanzania and Nigeria. His hotel in Kololo, which will be run by the South African-based Protea Group, will be open in time for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.

Charles Mbire:Like Aliker, Mbire is very sharp when it comes to business. Almost everything he lays his hands on turns to gold. It is said that by the time most people wake up for breakfast, Mbire has already signed four lucrative deals and has his eyes on another two. He has interests in MTN, Aggreko and is in the process of commissioning an anti-malaria medicine processing plant in Kabale.

Muhammed Alibhai:He is a recluse who made his money from Tight Security, among other things.

Mohan Kiwanuka: More people know about his wife, Maria Kiwanuka, who heads Radio One. However, the reclusive Mohan controls the mighty Oscar Industries. He has a passion for white shirts and is extremely neat. He also owns a large chunk of real estate in Kololo and other places.

Hassan Basajjabalaba: Despite his financial problems, Hassan B, as people call him, has not gone under. He is into education, hides and skins and hotels.

Aga Sekalala: Hardly ever seen in public, Sekalala has been very successful with his Ugachick venture in Gayaza.

Somani: The name behind Rwenzori Water. They also own Metropole House on Entebbe Road and have an interest in Cineplex.

Amos Nzeeyi: He owns a Pepsi franchise, real estate, the Hot Loaf chain and White Horse Inn in Kabale.

Bob Kabonero: With a virtual monopoly on gambling, he is on a real winning streak.

Godfrey Kirumira: The flamboyant Express FC chairman has landed. His car number plates bear his name and he owns Hotel International in Muyenga, Hotel Havana in Old Kampala and a string of commercial properties overlooking the Old Taxi Park.

Isabirye Mugoya: Said to be in his fifties, Mugoya mostly built up his construction empire in Kenya. He is supposed to own the largest construction fleet in the Great Lakes region and is into real estate.

Elly Karuhanga: Word on the street is that one should never underestimate the honorary consul for the Seychelles. Karuhanga has a passion for the Sheraton Hotel, where perhaps most of his deals go down. In some circles, especially with investors, Karuhanga is known as 'Mr. Fix it'. They say he knows how to open up doors and put you in contact with the right people. He was an instrumental figure regarding the visit to Uganda by the owner of Celtel, and for his services, it is said he was paid a six-figure sum in US dollars. He is a brilliant lawyer and a partner in Kampala Associated Advocates.

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Afadhali wao wana asilimia kubwa ya wazawa...Weka ya bongo uone.
 
Source: Who Are the Richest People in Uganda?

(New Vision (Uganda) Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge) FROM real estate to mineral water: Who are the richest people in Uganda?

INGENUITY, not industry, is the common characteristic of the people who have featured in our rich list. These people made money in everything from media and real estate to coffee, farming and road haulage. The list is not limited to Ugandans and it includes individuals and families born overseas, but who predominantly work and/or live in Uganda.

We have measured identifiable wealth, whether land, property or significant shares in publicly quoted companies and we have excluded bank accounts - to which we have no access.

There are probably a number of other wealthy individuals or families that we cannot know about because we have no way of ascertaining their wealth. They not only keep a low profile, but also avoid anything that will associate themselves with wealth.

Rather than list the person or family in an A, B or C class, we have categorised them into classes. The rich list does not include individuals who are actively engaged in politics like Members of Parliament or ministers. We shall publish that list separately when we access records of the declaration of their wealth.

The Fast Money Class

THESE are the people most of us never hear about or even know. Most of their businesses are concentrated between Kampala Road going down to Arua Park, Kikuubo, Luwum Street, the Old Park and New Taxi Park in the city and similar places in most towns. Most of their transactions are in hard cash rather than cheques. A good number of them have also ventured out into the lucrative money-lending trade. Their passports would most likely be filled with visas to Dubai. They are not the sort you would find in the Kampala Serena, but sitting quietly in The Tavern on Kampala Road, TLC on George Street and attending the odd album launch at Sabrina's Pub. The women are most likely driving a Pajero short chassis, while the men drive a Toyota kibina.

Alooni Mwagalwa: Luweero-based Mwagalwa is the owner of Nakaseke International College, which is the largest private education institution in Luweero District. He also owns several businesses in Kampala and is an agent for Uganda Breweries.

George Kahwa: The Fort Portal-based Kahwa is the proprietor of Cornerstone Business that includes Heart Beat Discotheque and a hotel.

Haruna Musiwa: Based in Mbale, Haruna Musiwa has made a pile of money from moneylending. That aside, he is a farmer and into real estate.

SulaIman Mafabi Lumolo: A Mbale tycoon who has made fast money from importing cars.

Johnson Ocol: A construction company owner, Ocol, who is based in Lira, owns petrol stations and fuel tankers. He is also trades between Uganda, the UK and Dubai. He is into real estate as well.

Elisha Kakyomya: Based in Fort Portal, Kakyomya owns several tea estates in Kabarole. He has a number of houses which he rents out to Mountains of the Moon University. His property interests aside, he has made some money as a Uganda Breweries agent.

Acaali Kobusinge: Kobusinge owns several storeyed buildings on Rukidi Street in Fort Portal and is known to drive several plush cars.

Drake Lubega: He is well known among the business community that operates around Luwum Street in Kampala. His business portfolio includes Qualicel Bus Terminal, Sun City Arcade, Majestic Plaza and SB Plaza.

Steven Njubi: Despite being among the richest people in Iganga, Njubi is a down-to-earth man. It is common to find the moneyed trader wearing grubby attire and bathroom slippers at one of his numerous construction sites in Iganga town. Njubi boasts numerous multi-million shilling assets and buildings under construction in both Iganga and Jinja towns. In Iganga, the tycoon owns Victoria High School, an incomplete shopping mall behind Crane Bank plus an imposing proposed hotel structure on Saza Road. He had to part with over sh300m to buy all the adjacent buildings from immediate neighbours so as to set up the expansive hotel structure.

Moses Kyatwoha: Bushenyi-based Kyatwoha, is the director of MK Petrol stations in Kampala and Bushenyi.

Aggrey Twimukye: Twimukye owns several buildings in Mbarara Municipality. He also owns Oxford Hotel.

Olet Elyak: He owns fleets of buses, an assembling plant, a construction company and a hotel complex in Lira.

Gluepot Sande: He owns several buildings on Mugurusi Street in Fort Portal and has a road haulage company under the name of PEKASA.

George Atyam: He owns chunks of land and rental and commercial houses in Kabale. He is also an agent for Uganda Breweries and Crown Beverages.

Bosco Ogwang Edola: Lira-based Edola owns the White House Hotel and is constructing another multi-million shilling hotel on the outskirts of town. He also owns a number fuel stations and is a timber dealer.

Apollo Ntegamahe: The Kabale-based businessman has over 30 trailers and exports produce to Rwanda and Burundi. He was recently given an award by President Yoweri Museveni for being a good exporter.

Sebastian Munulo aka Mwaana: Munulo owns the popular Mwaana Highway Hotel on Main Street in Iganga town. It is a popular spot for tourists and local travellers going through Iganga.

Chris Kafule: Kafule controls C. K. Distributors in Wandegeya. Kafule has made vast sums of money from his beer distributing chain and has invested heavily in real estate.

Dr. Herman Kigoye: Kigoye owns Byansi Clinic and Laboratory Services in Masaka Town. He also has a number of buildings in Masaka and Kalisizo in Rakai. He is the main supplier of drugs and medical equipment to health units in Masaka.

Hajat Sarah Kiyimba: Kiyimba owns Hotel Brovad and is said to be one of the richest people in Masaka.

Haji Ali Halari Kamru: Kamru is the owner of GASO Transport Company, which has a fleet of over 25 coaches plying the route between Kampala and Bujumbura, Kigali, Mutukula and other areas.

Andrew Kasagga aka Zzimwe: Kasagga should have been in the Super-Rich Class, but a series of bad investments and deals have seen his wealth plummet.

Vincent Opio: He is the northern region British America Tobacco Uganda distributor based in Lira. He owns a number of warehouses, a car rental service and fully furnished residential rental houses.

Moses Kalungi: He is into property, the most famous being Kalungi Plaza.

Joseph Behakanira: Though his hotel on Entebbe Road collapsed, that did not halt Behakanira. His Bwebajja Hotel is still on course and he also owns the Avemar Complex near the Old Taxi Park.

Bernard Ogwang Ocwoo: Based in Lira, Ocwoo owns a multi-billion shilling private hospital and a construction company. He also supplies food to the UPDF and WFP.

Josephine Kizza: She was not heard of until President Museveni and his Cabinet visited her Masaka farm last month. Her farming efforts reportedly reap close to sh50m a month.

Patrick Lucky: The director of a fleet of over 50 buses running under Kalita Bus Services that operate in Kampala and Nairobi. He is based in Fort Portal.

Stephen Mugasa: Mugasa is The New Vision agent in Fort Portal. That aside, he owns a string of houses on the prestigious Mugurusi Street which he rents out to NGOs and upper society folk.

Kayonza: Everybody who lives in Bugolobi right down to Luzira would have heard of Kayonza. Though most people know him for his beer distribution business, the unassuming Kayonza is into the road haulage business as well as property.

Michael Awany: Awany owns over eight fuelling stations in Lira and Masindi districts. He is currently constructing a fuel depot and also owns a number of residential rental houses.

George Namachi: A prominent Busia-based businessman, Namachi owns all the buildings on Nebolola Lane. That aside, he is reported to have estates in Kampala.

Emmanuel Amaza: Based in Adjumani, he owns Zawadi Hotel. He is also the chairman of a construction company in the district and one of the largest estate owners. He handled the construction of the district headquarters as well as bridges.

Fred Akampumuza: Into real estate. He owns the Akamwesi hostels in Kampala and a number of apartments.

Felix Orii: Is a distributor for Nile Breweries and Crown Beverages products in Adjumani District.

Charles Muhangi: The man from Mbarara is heavily into the transport business with his Horizon buses.

Omar Mandela: Owns the chain of Mandela Auto Spares in Kampala and some real estate.

George Kermundu Adubango aka K G: He is the founder of K. G. Engineering and Construction Works based in Nebbi. He has probably constructed more bridges and classroom blocks in West Nile than any other construction firm. He has also invested in estates.

Philip Mangeni Aremo: The Busia-born Aremo has estates in Busia, deals in beef and owns Aremo Hotel and Black and White Hotel on Customs Road. He also owns Busime Sand Beach on the shores of Lake Victoria and Melons Bar in Mukono.

Timothy Jokkene: The Gulu-based Jokkene owns petrol stations in Gulu and several other towns.

Kakanyero: He is a businessman with many estates in Gulu town. Kakanyero owns a large student hostel rented by students of Gulu University. He also owns Kakanyero Hotel.

Ben Kavuuya: He is a moneylender operating in Kampala city.

Young, Self-Employed Class

THEY are not quite in the league of the super-rich, but nevertheless are on the move up the ladder. Some of them are likely to move into the Super-Rich Class in years to come.

Peter Niwagaba: Niwagaba has eight petrol stations in Kabale and Kampala. He is also into property - commercial and residential - and land.

Crescent Baguma: The Fort Portal-based Baguma is the proprietor of BCR Road Unit. It is said that his mansion has bulletproof windows. He also has a passion for cars and owns a Hummer.

Enid Atalyeba: She is the director of Shell Uganda Fort Portal and owns ATACO Country Resort.

Elvis Sekyanzi: Though he has a famous father in Gordon Wavammuno, Sekyanzi broke out of his father's shadow. He is a shareholder in WBS Television, Simba Radio, Hot 100 FM and Club Silk. He is also a part owner of the company that hosts the PAM Awards annually.

Robinah Bwita: She is the director of Travellers Inn, Fort Portal.

Ivan Batuma: The gifted engineer from Kabale owns Highland Hotel, Overland Camp at Lake Bunyonyi and a large chunk of land.

Sylvia Owori: The fashion designer has real estate on Bulago Island and is the owner of African Woman magazine.

Arthur Busingye: The reclusive Busingye has interests in Cineplex Cinema in Kampala and real estate. There is also mention of a coffee export business and transportation firm.

Halima Wakabhu: She is the proprietor of Green Circle School in Fort Portal.

Peter Sematimba: Peter 'super duper' Sematimba is perhaps one of the most flamboyant men in Kampala. Despite standing for the Kampala mayorship and losing, Sematimba always had his Super FM and Dungeon Studios to fall back on.

Eric Byenkya: He is still making money from his law firm.

Oscar Kihika: Like his law partner, Eric Byenkya, Kihika has amassed a fortune from law. He is also trying to get his singing career off the ground, though it is unlikely that the revenue he will earn from CD sales will match what he makes from his law firm.

Edwin Karugire: People say he made his money because he married President Museveni's daughter. However, those who really know Karugire dismiss that notion. His company, Kiwanuka, Karugire and Co. Advocates is very successful. A modest man who is not averse to buying drinks for the boys, he has also branched out into the lucrative business of selling airtime cards, and has a franchise on Entebbe Road.

Kiryowa Kiwanuka: Like his law firm partner Edwin Karugire, Kiwanuka is very intelligent, witty and has tales that can go on until the end of the world. Though already rich and successful, there is a lot more to come from him.

Isaac Mulindwa: Prominent as the face of the PAM Awards, Mulindwa owns a construction firm in Florida, US, that generates an income of over $100,000 a year. He also has interests in Club Silk, Hot 100 FM and Radio Simba.

Masembe Kanyerezi: Kanyerezi made a mark when he attached Thomas Katto's Mercedes Benz when the courts closed down Katto's International Credit Bank. Aside from his law firm and real estate, he owns the dry cleaning franchise, Spotclean.

Andrew Rugasira: Famed for bringing South African artiste, Lucky Dube, to Uganda. Though he closed down VR Promotions, he is back on his feet selling his Good African Coffee on the shelves of Selfridges and Tesco in England, as well as Shoprite Checkers in South Africa.

Kenneth Kizza aka Gumpo: Selling airtime has made him very wealthy. He is one of the few people in town who own a Humvee. A tale is told that while at a wedding in Mbarara, as President Museveni was leaving the function, he saw Gumpo's Humvee literally parked on an ant hill. Pausing to look at the monster car, he asked one of his security detail if the car was one of theirs.

Charlie Lubega: He owns some real estate downtown on top of his successful Ange Noir night club and a business in London.

Jitu Parma: The Tile Centre boss has built himself a fortune from selling tiles.

Charles Odere: Another lawyer who has made a pile of money. He also owns a hotel in Pallisa.

Alan Shonubi: Shonubi owns Shoal House on Bombo Road and a number of other properties, including a house to die for in Kololo. He also has a successful law firm.

Nina Karugaba: Whoever said that interior designing does not pay should have a look at the success of Karugaba. Not only did she build the three-storeyed building on Jinja Road that houses her flagship store, Nina Interiors, she has also accumulated property both in Kampala and Kabale.

James Nyakuni: Known for the fleet of new white GaaGaa buses that ply the Kampala-West Nile route, he started in a humble way. After dropping out of school in P7 he went into brickmaking and building before starting a stall in Arua dealing in metal fabrications. Later he tried a bicycle spares shop. It is trading in fuel and cigarettes that saw him travel to Nairobi occasionally on business trips out of which his business acumen was nourished. He established a business branch in northeastern DR Congo before venturing into transportation. Nyakuni is also a real estate mogul with expensive houses in Arua and Kampala.

The CEO Class

By virtue of the jobs they hold as top managers and CEOs, this group are paid well enough. The people we have picked for this category are those who normally command space in the newspapers and are visible in society. Some of them own their own businesses, but they are not yet up there.

Maggie Kigozi: The executive director of the Uganda Investment Authority has the task of convincing people that Uganda is the right place to invest their money.

David Chandi Jamwa: A former partner with PriceWaterhouse Coopers, Chandi is the managing director of the National Social Security Fund. It is a fund with quite a bit of political interest.

Emmanuel Tumusiime Mutebile: As the governor of the Bank of Uganda, Mutebile virtually controls the direction of the nation's economy.

Ivan Kyayonka: Since he left university, Kyayonka has dedicated his life to Shell. He is one of those people who started at the bottom of the ranks and has risen to become country manager.

Allen Kagina: As head of the Uganda Revenue Authority, Kagina commands a hefty pay cheque.

Richard Byarugaba: High-flyer in the banking industry who was recently appointed to a top position in Barclays Bank.

Baker Magunda: The MD of Uganda Breweries.

William Muhairwe: The CEO of National Water and Sewerage Corporation owns the glass building that houses the Japanese Embassy in Nakasero.

Conrad Nkutu: The troubled MD of The Monitor newspaper is a force to be reckoned with, not only because of his pay cheque but because he also controls the opposition media.

William Kalema: A graduate of Cambridge University in England, Kalema is very intelligent and astute. He has worked in the US and Zambia. He also sits on a number of boards and has also been known to write some speeches for President Museveni. He owns a Bugolobi-based consultancy.

Charles Hamya: Patience pays. From a sales executive at Multichoice, Hamya has risen to the post of MD. Apart from that, he is investing in real estate with Kololo Heights.

Tom Mugenga: Mugenga is into clearing and forwarding. He sits in a simple office in Industrial Area in Kampala, but recently expanded his business and opened up an office in Mombasa. Apart from that he also invested heavily in a fleet of SCANIA trucks.

Mariam Luyombo: She started off with Taibah High School in Kawempe. Since then she has expanded her chain of schools to three and there is every indication that a fourth is on its way.

Martin Drito: The managing director of Drito Global Corporation, a firm that deals in precious minerals and timber. He has life membership on some international gold associations. With a plush office on Workers House the Arua-born Drito cruises a Jaguar, Mercedes S class and a Lexus, all with personalised number plates.

Expatriate Class

David Njoroge: With sales from Hima Cement reaching new heights, Njoroge is assured of a hefty pay cheque.

A. R. Kalan: The managing director of Crane Bank, which pays him well enough for him to afford to own his own boat, which is moored at Speke Resort Munyonyo.

Ian Sturrock: The managing director of dfcu Bank.

David Cutting: The managing director of Standard Chartered Bank.

Kitili Mbathi: The managing director of Stanbic Bank.

Nick Mbuvi: One of the youngest managing directors of Barclays Bank.

William Pike: The CEO of Capital FM and co-owner of Kenya's KISS and Classic FM. He owns a mansion and apartments to let in Bugolobi.

Eric van Veen: As chief operating officer of the largest telecommunications provider in the country, he is a force to be reckoned with.

Ian Clarke: Clarke moved his International Hospital from Old Kampala to Namuwongo, and it is one of the most successful private hospitals in Uganda.

Patrick Quarcoo: Advertising pays. With his company QG Saatchi and Saatchi doing the advertising for the much-sought-after MTN account, he is raking in the cash. He also has interests in Cool Graphics, Capital FM and KISS FM in Nairobi. Very flamboyant and has the gift of the gab.

Cathy Watson: With donor money, Cathy Watson started off Straight Talk Foundation from a small office in Bukoto, advising the youth about sexual matters and HIV/AIDS. Since then she has incorporated Young Talk and also Tree Talk. Straight Talk recently moved into bigger office next door to Capital FM.

The Religious Class

RELIGION is big. It sells and the new breed of God's men and women know how to get the money rolling in. They don't stand at the pulpit and give boring sermons. They excite, dazzle and woo the congregation. And when the time comes for the congregation to make their offerings, they dig deep into their pockets.

Pastor K. L. Dickson: He is one of the richest pastors in Fort Portal. He is the President of World Evangelical Ministries, Kabarole Christian Fellowship and he owns Life FM and King Oyo Secondary School.

Pastor Robert Kayanja: As head of Miracle Centre in Lubaga, Kayanja wields clout that goes to the very upper echelons of the state. Successful and smart, he has built a massive house on the shore of Lake Victoria in Bunga.

Pastor Gary Skinner: Like Kayanja, Skinner holds clout. When Kampala Pentecostal Church came to life, it was a simple church on Kampala Road. However, KPC now has five branches and a congregation that is bursting at the seams.

Pastor Imelda Namutebi: As head of Liberty Worship Centre, Namutebi is a force to be reckoned with. She has also seen a massive growth in her wealth.

Bishop Cyprian Bamwoze: Owns a large farm in Nakabango in Kamuli District, where he is based after his retirement. He lives a frugal life and drives in a Datsun 1200 pick-up, a mismatch to his wealth.

Old Money Class

THIS is a class of people who made their money back in the 1960s through to the 1970s, and still have the money in 2007. The Old Money Class have large chunks of real estate which has been passed on through generations and rarely do they sell any of it off.

Karmali Mukwano: One of the most reclusive tycoons there is in town. In fact if he were to walk though town, he would get by unrecognised. When it comes to manufacturing he tops the list in that almost every household in Uganda has something that comes from him. His Mukwano Industries manufactures everything from cooking oil to soap to plastics.

The Madhvani Family: The Mahdvanis, under the stewardship of Mayur, have it all. Not only do they have their own private airfield at Kakira, they also own private jets with a full-time British female pilot at the ready all year round. They already had enough money in the bank, not to mention the millions of dollars they made when they sold Nile Breweries to South Africans. It is rumoured that to fly round their estate in Kakira by plane takes a staggering 12 minutes!

The Kasoma Family: The Kasoma family in Luweero are old money. Adudu Kasoma was a coffee trader and the family own large tracts of land and several commercial buildings in Luweero District.

Ben Okiror: The Soroti-based Okiror runs the successful Kakiase Enterprise, which deals in general business, including agricultural produce.

Rose Rohrer: Her late husband, Max, was one of the founders of the successful construction firm, Roko. With his fortune he amassed a considerable chunk of real estate, including homes in the Seychelles and Switzerland.

Rainer Kohler: Has made a fortune through Roko Construction.

The Mehta Family: They are into sugar production from a large estate in Lugazi town, Mukono District. They also own the largest metal fabrication works in the country.

John Ssebaana Kizito: Property magnate with several buildings in Kampala, including Sure House on Bombo Road. Ssebaana also owns swathes of land in Kampala and Kyaggwe in Mukono District. He is also the majority shareholder in Statewide Insurance Company.

John Kulubya: Firmly old money who owns a large chunk of Kampala's real estate.

Jaberi Bidandi Ssali: It is believed that his tenure as a minister could have obstructed him from growing his wealth, but nevertheless he is still wealthy. In his early days he acquired estates and chunks of land in Kampala, particularly in Nakawa Division. Now he has ventured into money-minting entertainment and recreation at Kiwatule in Kampala.

Gordon Wavamunno: Wavamunno has been around for a while and is a household name in Uganda. Not only does he own one of the finest homes in the land on the shores of Lake Victoria in Munyonyo, he is into real estate, with buildings and land in Mbarara, at the Equator and in Gayaza. He also owns a string of houses behind Uganda Breweries in Luzira and in Ggaba as well. He owns the Mercedes Benz car dealership here and has recently branched out into bottling water. Not only does he own WBS Television, he also has shares in Radio Simba and United Assurance. He also owns expensive antiques, including a coffee table which they say he bought for a staggering $100,000.

Eng. Ezekiel Balaba: He is the brother of finance minister Ezra Suruma and deals in cutting and selling timber. He also has vast tracts of land in Kabale, Kanungu and Rukungiri districts.

The Muliras: They own large tracts of land in Kampala.

James Mulwana: From humble beginnings, Mulwana has steadily built up an empire. Just about every household has one of his plastic products. He owns Nice House of Plastics, Jesa Farms, Uganda Batteries and a flat near Marble Arch in London. He sits on the board of a number of companies. He is soft-spoken and humble and does not show any signs of wealth. He does not even own a car with personalised number plates.

Can. Dr. John Batuma: Batuma is a dairy farmer, a businessman and has estates in Kabale and Kampala. He has well-educated and rich children such as Norman Batuma and Eng. Ivan Mbabazi Batuma, who are consolidating the family riches and status. He is said to have banked money on fixed interest-earning accounts.

Patrick Okumu Ringa: Thrived on the Peugeot franchise as a local agent over 20 years ago. During the boom period, he constructed several houses including a towering storeyed building that has become a landmark in Nebbi town. His wealth still counts in the estates he owns, even though many of them are incomplete.

The Hared Family: They have invested vastly in the petroleum business. The family of Somali origin has several fuel stations throughout Busoga and beyond. The Jinja-based family also runs petrol stations in Tororo.

Cranimer Kaaya: He is the owner of Kaaya Ranch in Butuntumula Sub-county, Luweero District, with an expansive herd of cattle.

Abdulrahman Ahmed and brothers: It is a family of brothers from Yemen who have settled in East Africa for many years now. Based in Arua, they own the oldest surviving Nile Coach bus company which endured hard times when the Lord's Resistance Army rebels burnt several of their buses. Nevertheless, the company is still strong. Ahmed is also a real estate mogul in Arua and Kampala.

The Super Rich Class

THESE are the super-rich of Uganda. They are the people who have made it and are still making it. Not only do they own a string of companies, they own a big chunk of real estate which rakes in enough money to project an impressive balance sheet.

Sikander Lalani: The boss of Roofings Limited has seen revenue jump almost 70%. Exports are up, especially to Juba, the DRC and Rwanda. Recently married to a former Miss Uganda contestant, Sikander lives a lavish life in a plush Kololo house. Work aside, he is only person in Uganda to convince the management of Sheraton Hotel to close down Rhino Pub for the night so that he could have a private party in there. He is set to spend sh53b constructing a steel rolling plant in Namanve.

Joseph Roy: Captain Roy has been in the airline industry for quite a while. He owns Das Air Cargo, Royal Daisy Airline and Daisy House on the way to Entebbe Airport. He is also into ranching and owns a number of commercial properties. The closure of his Africa One airline some years ago did not really dent his fortune.

Sudhir Ruparelia: Not only is Ruparelia into banking with his Crane Bank, he also owns Goldstar Insurance. In addition, he owns a large chunk of real estate which includes Bauman House, Customs House, the former British High Commission on Parliament Avenue and a large chunk of Kisementi. He owns three hotels - Kabira Country Club, Speke Hotel and Speke Resort Munyonyo. Schools aside - Kabira International School and Kampala Parents - he owns Sanyu FM, Rosebud flower farm and a number of other companies.

Abid Alam: While the Alams are recluses, they used to own Gold Trust Bank until they sold it off to dfcu. Not that they needed the money; they are into manufacturing, with interests in steel rolling in Uganda and Kenya.

Bulayimu Muwanga Kibirige aka BMK: He is virtually responsible for the importation of motorcycles into the country. He owns a string of motorcycle shops in Ndeeba and also owns Hotel Africana.

Karim Hirji: He used to be rather flamboyant until he quit motor racing to concentrate on his hotels - Grand Imperial, Botanical Hotel, Imperial Resort Hotel and one which is still under construction next to Serena Hotel. He recently bought a house in Nakasero from Barclays Bank for $1m.

Martin Aliker: He is a shrewd businessman who is firmly into corporate business. Respected by many, he is either a board member or board chairman of a number of companies.

Patrick Bitature: When MTN came to town, people used to mock Bitature for being just a simple man who sold airtime. However, from his first shop at Grand Imperial Hotel, he built up a chain of outlets and has managed to amass himself a fortune.

Bitature owns Simba Telecom and has an interest in National Insurance Corporation. He also owns airtime dealerships in Kenya, Tanzania and Nigeria. His hotel in Kololo, which will be run by the South African-based Protea Group, will be open in time for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.

Charles Mbire:Like Aliker, Mbire is very sharp when it comes to business. Almost everything he lays his hands on turns to gold. It is said that by the time most people wake up for breakfast, Mbire has already signed four lucrative deals and has his eyes on another two. He has interests in MTN, Aggreko and is in the process of commissioning an anti-malaria medicine processing plant in Kabale.

Muhammed Alibhai:He is a recluse who made his money from Tight Security, among other things.

Mohan Kiwanuka: More people know about his wife, Maria Kiwanuka, who heads Radio One. However, the reclusive Mohan controls the mighty Oscar Industries. He has a passion for white shirts and is extremely neat. He also owns a large chunk of real estate in Kololo and other places.

Hassan Basajjabalaba: Despite his financial problems, Hassan B, as people call him, has not gone under. He is into education, hides and skins and hotels.

Aga Sekalala: Hardly ever seen in public, Sekalala has been very successful with his Ugachick venture in Gayaza.

Somani: The name behind Rwenzori Water. They also own Metropole House on Entebbe Road and have an interest in Cineplex.

Amos Nzeeyi: He owns a Pepsi franchise, real estate, the Hot Loaf chain and White Horse Inn in Kabale.

Bob Kabonero: With a virtual monopoly on gambling, he is on a real winning streak.

Godfrey Kirumira: The flamboyant Express FC chairman has landed. His car number plates bear his name and he owns Hotel International in Muyenga, Hotel Havana in Old Kampala and a string of commercial properties overlooking the Old Taxi Park.

Isabirye Mugoya: Said to be in his fifties, Mugoya mostly built up his construction empire in Kenya. He is supposed to own the largest construction fleet in the Great Lakes region and is into real estate.

Elly Karuhanga: Word on the street is that one should never underestimate the honorary consul for the Seychelles. Karuhanga has a passion for the Sheraton Hotel, where perhaps most of his deals go down. In some circles, especially with investors, Karuhanga is known as 'Mr. Fix it'. They say he knows how to open up doors and put you in contact with the right people. He was an instrumental figure regarding the visit to Uganda by the owner of Celtel, and for his services, it is said he was paid a six-figure sum in US dollars. He is a brilliant lawyer and a partner in Kampala Associated Advocates.

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Hawa ma pastor wanatafta nini katika list kama hizi, wanawezaje kutumikia mabwana wawili kwa uadilifu i.e mali na mungu? kweli ufisad hauna kwao
 
Hawa ma pastor wanatafta nini katika list kama hizi, wanawezaje kutumikia mabwana wawili kwa uadilifu i.e mali na mungu? kweli ufisad hauna kwao

Mkuu hili lina ukweli, mara pengi ni maslahi binafsi....Kina Kakobe wako sana Uganda na kwa taarifa yako hata hao kina Kakobe, Rwakatare nk waliwaiga hao waganda...Evangelistic ni dili huko UG na certainly Tz na sehemu nyingi duniani hata kwa wazungu wenyewe....Na nadhani ilikuwa ni mpango wa wamarekani ku counter blance uislam EA na nadhani Museveni alitumia mwanya huo sana kwa kujidai kuwa UG ni taifa la kikristo na kwamba abstainance ni key na ndiyo maana UKIMWI ulipungua kwa kazi UG na pia kondom zilifagiliwa sana pamoja na mengine...Bush alijuwa pia kuwa hata waislam nao hawapendi condom na mikutano ya injili...Nenda Kampala unaweza kudhani kila mtu molokole...Kila weekend kuna utamaduni pia wa mikutano hiyo...Kuna huyo aliyekuwa anaitwa Deo Balyekubo or something ambaye na yeye ni marehemu baada ya kupata ajali kwenye gari yake ya kifahari.
Back to the point hata hivyo uchumi wao haujashikiliwa na waasia kama ilivyo kwetu.
 
A lot of these people are from the United Kingdom and Canada. Some who have made big money have major interests in countries around the world. Read about them here:

THE SUNRISE RADIO ASIAN RICH LIST 2004-03-28
Compiled by Philip Beresford

14. Shiraz Dharamshi TEJANI (dob 13/02/49) &Family
Industry
#100m
Another good year for Tejani, who represents the family that owns LPC Group
PLC, the UK's largest independent producer of disposable paper products.
Turnover increased in 2003 to #108m from #69m on a re-stated basis in 2002
following the de-merger of the group's pharmaceutical operation. Operating
profits reduced to #7.8m from #8.9m on a comparable basis, but did reflect
re-organisation and restructuring costs arising from the group's
acquisition activities. 2003 saw LPC continue to invest heavily in tissue
production at its sites in the UK and Sweden. LPC also expanded its
Leicester headquarters as the company looked to build on its acquisition of
three firms in 2002. With other assets, the family is worth #100 million.

18. Firoz KASSAM (dob 27/02/55)
Hotels
#90m
In October, Firoz Kassam had become so fed up with the fickle fans of
Oxford United, promotion pace setters in Division Three, that he put up the
club for sale for #1. He had spent #50m on the club in four years,
including a new 12,450-seater stadium named in his honour. In the event,
Kassam withdrew his sale plan, but it showed just how deep his pockets had
been in developing the club. At the same time he announced he was investing
#4m in a new multiplex cinema on the site after Warner Village had
withdrawn from the site. Kassam who was given land off Grenoble Road,
Greater Leys for the cinema by Oxford City Council in 2000 in return for
rescuing Oxford United from bankruptcy said: "It's not rocket science
running a cinema. I shall prove wrong anyone who says I can't run it. I
don't want to lose money here as I am doing at the football club and at the
hotel. I shall also run the health and fitness club and am investing #3m of
my own money in that." Kassam's money comes from the hotel trade. Arriving
in London as a 19-year old from Tanzania, planning to study, he worked in
an Earl's Court takeaway before moving into a bed and breakfast place where
he made the beds and cleaned the rooms. >From this difficult start he has
become a leading player in the London hotel market, though in the early
1990s he nearly went under with high borrowings when the banks pulled the
rug from under his feet and he lost all his hotels bar one his giant Kings
Cross hotel. Today it is still his main money making machine and Firoka
(Kings Cross) made #1.3m profit in 2002 and has #53.2m of net assets. We
can add another #25m of net assets in Firoka City and Firoka (Heythrop
Park). After allowing for Oxford United spending and past salaries, we
value Kassam at #90m. We assume he owns all of the parent companies which
are Guernsey-based. He would have been much richer but for that Oxford
United spending.

28. Firoz TEJANI (dob 27/12/44) &Family
Finance
#65m
The Tejani family led by Firoz Tejani, is a major player in the foreign
exchange and currency changing business. The main family-owned firm,
London-based Lelyn Holdings, made over #6.1m profit on #642m sales in the
year to February 2003. With a solid balance sheets, the business is worth
perhaps #65m in the current climate despite a healthy profit and sales
increase. We value the Tejani family at that level. The family gives
generously to charities.
47. Gulshan BHATIA (dob 02/04/33) &Family
Hotels
#37m
Gulshen Bhatia is a widow from Tanzania, who invested her life savings in a
small London hotel 15 years ago. A series of deals left her with Great
Western Hotel next to Paddington Station. She has even found time to raise
a family of four children as well. The Great Western has been hugely
refurbished and Paddington is becoming a fashionable area. The Bhatias have
two main companies, Muirgold and London Plaza, which have nearly #35m of
net assets in 2001 and 2002. We add #2m for property and other assets to
the Bhatia family.

77. Nurdin (dob 13/01/33) &Nick (dob 27/12/59) JIVRAJ
Hotels
#25.00m
Tanzanian Nurdin Jivraj had already built up a property portfolio when he
arrived in London in 1971. With his son Nick, Jivraj started with one hotel
and built up the London Hotels Group which they sold in 1988. They then
took over Buckingham International, a quoted hotels group and the shares
soared to value the business at #100m by 1990. Buckingham ran into trouble
but the Jivrajs have made a comeback with Accommodata, their new hotels
group. It made #3.6m profit in 2002. We value the Jivrajs at #25m.

107. Mohamed ESMAIL &Family (dob 21/12/44)
Food
#18.30m
Mohamed Esmail is managing director of SME Group, a holding company which
has subsidiaries in the fast food through Kentucky Fried Chicken franchises
and hotel business. The Harrow-based company was incorporated in 1988, and
is owned by Esmail and his family. We value the business at #15m in the
current climate with profits rising to #1.7m on #20.4m sales in the year to
March 2003. Six other smaller but separate restaurant companies have #3.3m
of net assets, taking the Esmail family to #18.3m.

120. Moez DAYA (dob 03/12/5
icon_cool.gif

Computers
#15.00m
Kenyan-born Daya is an engineering consultant and was director of telecoms
group Mobile Systems International. He was part of a team which put up
#100,000 to start the firm in 1990. In September 1996, a US investor paid
#36m for a 20% stake. The deal valued the company at #180m. In April 2000,
MSI was sold to Marconi for #391m. Daya had a 7% stake before all the
deals, and though it was diluted, should have collected perhaps #15m
after-tax for his shares.

142. Alnur (dob 18/01/55) &Yasmin (dob 04/03/55) DHANANI
Leisure
#12.50m
Alnur Dhanani is managing director of Amyn Hotels, a central London hotel
group. The company was started in 1972 and he owns the business with his
wife, Yasmin, who is also a director. Amyn showed #11.3m net assets in its
2002 accounts. Dhanani also owns another company, Venusstyle, with #1.19m
of net assets. It is safe to value the Dhananis at around #12m on the back
of these figures.

169. Asif Bhatia (dob 19/03/69)
Hotels
#9m
Asif Bhatia is a London hotelier who runs the London Plaza and in late 2002
he bought the Hyatt Regency in Birmingham. The son of Gulshen Bhatia
(q.v.), the freeholder of the Hilton at London Paddington, Bhatia merits
his own entry as he has his own hotel interests through Tradesup, a
London-based parent company. In the year to February 2002, Tradesup made
#475,000 profit on #5.23m sales. It has #12.3m net assets. Cautiously we
value the business and Bhatia at around #9m in the current difficult
climate for London hoteliers.

174. Sir Ben KINGSLEY (dob 31/12/43)
Media
#8.00m
Born Krishna Bhanji, the son of a Kenyan-Asian doctor from Salford and an
English mother, Sir Ben Kingsley struggled for years at the Royal
Shakespeare Company, before making his first film, Gandhi, in 1982. He won
an Oscar and never looked back. Now on the Hollywood A list after further
nominations for his roles in Bugsy and Sexy Beast, Kingsley keeps a low
personal profile. While there are no accounts or Hollywood figures on his
earnings, he should command seven figure sums for films and admits to
"doing rather well." With his large #3m Cotswold farm and other assets
doing 'rather well' should mean a #8m fortune. His latest film to be
released is an adaptation of Andre Dubus III's 1999 novel, House of Sand
and Fog. He has been nominated for a Golden Globe for best actor for his
part in the film. Kingsley became so immersed in the Iranian culture during
the filming of this latter film that he had his marriage resanctified in a
Persian ceremony in December, having first married his third wife Alexandra
Christmann, aged 28, last October. Kingsley met the stunning German
advertising executive at a Berlin restaurant.

247. Nazmu VIRANI &Family (dob 02/03/4
icon_cool.gif

Property
#5.00m
Born into a prosperous Ugandan Asian family, Nazmu Virani fell victim to
Idi Amin's terror and arrived in Britain in 1972 penniless and with a wife
and child. After a difficult few years when he built up a property
portfolio of shops, he reversed his interests into Control Securities in
1985. The BCCI affair hit him hard and he went to prison on fraud charges.
Since then he has bounced back via his new vehicle, Cygnet, which made
#776,000 profit in 2001-02. It has #7.3m net assets. Virani's stake and
other assets give him at least a #5m fortune.

247. Zahir (dob 06/11/55) &Shaffin (dob 27/12/56) DAMJI
Distribution
#5.00m
Tanzanian-born Zahir and Shaffin Damji are directors of Trackform, a
private garage and petrol retailer based in South West London. It was
incorporated in 1981. The 2001 accounts showed a #1.3m loss on #25.7m
sales. But Trackform has #4.6m net assets and we value the business on that
net asset figure. We add another #400,000 for other Damji interests
including Chateau Properties and Copperstone Properties, taking the family
to #5m.

275. Nazir &Shiraz JESSA (dob 15/04/41)
Industry
#4.50m
Father and son team, Nazir and Shiraz Jessa have built up IT e-tailer and
mail order company, Watford Electronics from humble beginnings in 1972 into
a major player in the IT sector. The business is owned by the Jessa family
and made just #159,000 profit on #16.4m sales in 2002. But it does have
#3.9m of assets and with the family's other assets such as Greyacre, a
#233,000 property company, the Jessas are worth #4.5m.

Business in Vancouver, Feature 40 Under 40
Hanif Muljiani, President Owner, The Portables


"Idi Amin basically said get out or die."
Hanif Muljiani recalls the threat that spurred many Ismailis to leave Uganda and prompted his family to make its way to Vancouver. For nearly a year, Muljiani's family lived downtown, the six of them sharing a two-bedroom hotel suite. The family moved to South Vancouver and East Vancouver before Muljiani enrolled at the University of British Columbia .


After completing accounting studies, he landed at a leading chartered accounting firm, eager to get his CA designation and then get out.


Once that mission was accomplished, Muljiani became controller at The Portables , a Richmond-based firm making exhibits with $2 million in annual revenues, in 1991.
Four years later, he was promoted to general manager, responsible for the overall management of the company, including sales. Under his guidance, the company hired salespeople, opened offices and streamlined production.


In 2000, with revenues now up to $10 million, Muljiani raised $5 million and bought the company. As owner, he further diversified operations, adding what Muljiani dubbed "portable marketing solutions."


The company started offering labour to help with trade shows, and creative work for promotional pieces and promotional products. The company now does non-trade-related graphics, a division that has grown to $1.5 million in revenues annually and won over clients such as Estee Lauder and A&W .


The Portables launched an education division that trains salespeople to get the maximum returns from trade shows. That division now spins $500,000 in revenues each year. And an installation division provides the labour to set up and take down displays, bringing in $1.3 million a year in revenue.


Muljiani acknowledges that the changes have been challenging, but The Portables is now up to $12 million annually in revenues.


"Training our sales force has been an ongoing challenge, and it's never going to stop," he said.


Meanwhile, Muljiani acknowledges his roots when discussing his own success. The tight local Ismaili community includes Ballard Power Systems Inc. CEO Firoz Rasul and Xantrex Technology Inc. CEO Mossadiq Umedaly . "Your dad's in business, your uncle's in business. It's a mindset that is big on business, education and moving into professions."

Moe Somani - International Business Entrepreneur

Hilfiger, Gap and Calvin Klein have all been named as possible suitors for the business Somani built in the New Millennium.



Moe Somani, born in Kampala, Uganda, keeps a low profile in Vancouver, Canada, but he has definitely hit the big time in the business world. Over the past few years, clothing giants Hilfiger, Gap and Calvin Klein. have all been named as possible suitors for an international clothing empire that Somani built, now worth as much as £393 million. Somani refuses to give interviews, but with that kind of interest in Somani's European-based clothing empire, Millennium Jeans International, it's going to be hard staying out of the limelight.


The success of Millennium Jeans International since its founding, in 1997, has landed Somani, who owns 100% of this privately held company's shares--an enviable spot on the Rich Retail 1000, at No. 110 with a net worth of £366 million.


In August 2001, Millennium Jeans International announced the launch of a strategic review with advisers about selling all or part of the company. Industry analysts suggest Gap, Hilfiger and Klein. were all interested. The announcement "signals the completion of the first stage of our strategic review and is a clear and visible step in maximizing value for Somani." Industry watchers suggest the IPO is a way to lure potential bidders who didn't want the whole company, which has assets in North America, European Union, Africa, Latin America and Asia.


Millennium Jeans International got its start when Somani, a York Scholar who also has a BBA and an IT Technology Degree opened Millennium Jeans, a small retail clothing store in Vancouver, Canada. The business grew steadily, with Millennium Jeans its best-known store in Canada.

In 1997, Somani traveled to Asia to design his own brand name label, and rapidly expanded. In early 2000, an undisclosed U.S.-based marketing firm purchased Millennium Jean's stake, but when the firm got into financial difficulties, Somani took the stake back. Somani renamed the company Millennium Jeans International in 2000 and took it internationally, eventually opening stores in more than 32 countries. Somani has been on a tear since, with more than 350 private label counter titles to his name worldwide.

The future ownership of Millennium Jeans International is up in the air, but Somani, as 100% controlling shareholder, is bound to come out of any sale with hundreds of millions in hand.

So far at least, analysts see the Millennium Jeans International story as a win-win situation. Somani recently sold part of his company to International Clothing retailer Tommy Hilfiger for an estimated £75 million. At the time of sale, Somani was planning to open a retail store in every major city world wide, instead of supplying his brand to big box retailers. Somani convinced Hilfiger to buy into his concept in order to gain favorable market share, and the deal was struck. Where you now see a Hilfiger retail store, it was initially a proposed Millennium Jeans International Store.

Somani also a successful high-tech entrepreneur has other business interests which include Digital Software Solutions for the Online Gaming Industry, land based casinos in Europe and on cruise ships in the Baltic sea and in the Mediterranean, restaurants and bottled water companies in Europe and Asia, and private label clothing factories in China. Those close to him say he never talks about his success, and is a humble and approachable person who loves to share his extensive knowledge with others. Given he's only 39, don't expect him to rest on his laurels.

BUSINESS PRESS

The Summerlin nightclub Plush has closed it doors and sued its landlord for over $25 million. The suit alleges that promises made to the club were not kept and that it was obstructed in trying to market itself to Summerlin residents.

The club claims that it was promised that it would have extensive signage in rooms and throughout the property to advertise the club. The suit also claims the corridor outside the club was supposed to be let to retail tenants who never matieralized. That allegedly hurt the club's traffic flow.

Plush also alleges that it was promised a marquis on Rampart Boulevard.

The owners did not apparently apply to the City of Las Vegas for the planning permission although a representative of the resort told the Business Press in an earlier interview that Summerlin would only permit one marquis for the property and that had gone to the Rampart Casino.

Plush spokesperson Kim Koury said the Rampart had allowed Plush to advertise some events on its marquis and that those had sold out. For the most part, however, the landlord cut off attempts to advertise and market the club.

She also denied that Summerlin was a less than promising nightclub location. "We were the only club in Summerlin," she added indignantly.

More problems arose for Plush when the resort objected to its using the J.W. Marriott name in advertising to identify the location. The club was told that Marriott did not want its name associated with drinking and nightlife but the suit alleges that was merely a pretext to thwart Plush.

Koury pointed out that the Irish pub at the resort routinely advertised but that establishment is owned and operated by the owners.

The hotel is owned by the Lalji family of Vancouver, B.C., which has extensive real estate holdings. Canadian Business magazine ranked the family number 46 on its list of the 100 richest Canadians and estimated its wealth at C$884 million.

The family bought the hotel out of the bankruptcy of "The Resort at Summerlin" for $80 million. It had cost $275 million to build.

Plush claims to have spent over $1 million to revamp the club, which occupied the space originally designed as a high-end restaurant.

The lawsuit seeks to recover damages for remodeling the club space and lost revenue.

_____________________________________________________________

images



Azim Premji
© AP Photo/Gautam Singh
Age: 60
Fortune: self made
Source: Software



Country Of Citizenship: India
Residence: Bangalore, India, Asia & Australia
Industry: Technology
Marital Status: married, 2 children

Stanford University, Bachelor of Arts / Science


Owns 82% of NewYork-listed Wipro, India's third-largest software exporter. Is expanding operations outside Bangalore headquarters to other cities to combat employee attrition. Recent acquisitions: technology infrastructure consultancy cMango in California, Austrian chip design firm NewLogic and payment processing firm, mPower in New Jersey.

_____________________________________________________________

images

August 9, 2002 (9:15 a.m. EDT) No. 95
CANADA ANNOUNCES NEW SPECIAL ENVOY FOR SUDAN


Bill Graham, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Susan Whelan, Minister for International Cooperation, today announced that Senator Mobina Jaffer will act as Canada's Special Envoy to the Sudanese peace process. The position was previously held by Senator Lois Wilson.


"I am delighted that Senator Jaffer has accepted this position and that she will continue the important work of Senator Wilson in promoting peace in Sudan," said Minister Graham. "While Canada is encouraged by the new round of peace talks taking place in Kenya, it deplores recent attacks against civilians and humanitarian installations in Sudan, which only serve to undermine efforts to end the conflict there. We urge the parties involved to cease attacking civilian and humanitarian targets, and to fully engage in peaceful negotiations."


Canada strongly supports the formal peace process of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), which has been mandated by the Organization for African Unity to lead efforts to end the civil war in Sudan. Senator Jaffer will represent Canada at the IGAD Partners Forum, which brings together donor countries from around the world who provide support for the IGAD peace process. Senator Jaffer will also monitor the human rights situation in Sudan and maintain a dialogue with Canadian civil society on the Sudanese peace process.


"Senator Jaffer's assignment comes at a crucial time," said Minister Whelan. "We must pursue the opportunities made possible by progress in the peace talks, not only to allow for a political settlement to this war, but also to ensure the distribution of critical humanitarian relief to thousands of Sudanese civilians affected by years of war and drought. The UN's Operation Lifeline Sudan must be given unfettered access to these people."


Both ministers thanked Senator Lois Wilson for her commitment and dedication to fostering peace in Sudan. In particular, they praised her ability to raise the profile of the IGAD peace process--both domestically and internationally--as well as her ability to provide new and innovative ideas to reinvigorate the talks.

Giving back to the roots of success

Firoz Rasul's career path is anything but typical.A couple of years ago, the Kenyan-born and British-educated engineer ended a 20-year business career in Canada as chairman of a B.C.-based company that is a world leader in fuel-cell technology.

He's devoted years to establishing cultural and religious projects across the country, most recently spearheading the effort to win the City of Toronto's approval to build a new, privately funded Ismaili centre and museum.

And last weekend, the naturalized Canadian was named president of one of the most prestigious universities in Pakistan.

But Mr. Rasul's uncommonly international résumé is likely to become more typical in the next decade as he leads numerous successful immigrants who have reached the apex of their careers, especially in Toronto and Vancouver, to look for innovative ways to give back to their roots.

"As this generation of immigrant professionals scales the peaks of professional success and feels the need for self-actualization, the path Rasul has paved will show them how they should be spending their time, talent and wealth," said Ashwin Joshi, director of the MBA program at the Schulich School of Business and a volunteer who helps raise money and awareness for international issues.

Those who are destined to follow in Mr. Rasul's footsteps are now spending time and money on local causes after building a 25-year professional reputation in the Western world, Mr. Joshi said.

"What is common is that most people come here with very little money and a strong educational background, and they work their way up to the top of the food chain," he said.

"Their focus is on making this country home first, and the concerns of their countries of origin take a back seat."

But Mr. Rasul, a devout Ismaili, said giving back to his society has been a fundamental part of his upbringing.

"My faith guided my values that I've grown up with and guided my decisions throughout my life, to take some part of my life to give back to society," he said in an interview from Pakistan this week.

Ismailis, a sect of Shia Muslims who follow the Aga Khan, number about 75,000 in Canada; half of them live in Toronto and around 15,000 in Vancouver.
Mr. Rasul, who was born in Nairobi in 1952, attended Aga Khan Foundation schools through to the end of high school.

In the early 1970s, he went to study industrial engineering at the University of Hertfordshire in England.

But he wanted to get a stronger grasp on how business was engineered, so he headed to Canada to get his MBA from McGill University.

After a stint at Black & Decker in England, Mr. Rasul returned to Canada and settled in Vancouver in 1981. He was named chairman of Ballard Power Systems in Burnaby, B.C., and he remained in the technology industry until his retirement in 2003.
Appointed president of Aga Khan University in Karachi last Saturday, Mr. Rasul says he finds it fitting to give back to the foundation that raised him. He will take up his post there on May 1.

"It's a unique opportunity at this point in my career to do something completely different and to work with an institution that is both young and achieved so much in its youth."

Founded in 1983 by the Aga Khan, spiritual leader of most Ismaili Muslims, the university teaches health sciences, nursing and early childhood education, with seven locations in the Middle East, South Asia and East Africa. It has been a partner in research with Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children, the University of British Columbia and the University of Alberta.

Mr. Rasul, who also speaks German and Swahili and can get by in Urdu, has served as chairman of Focus Humanitarian Assistance Canada, an international emergency relief agency; president of Aga Khan Foundation Canada, and a member of UBC's board of governors.

He has participated in several volunteer projects, including, most recently, the establishment of the Global Centre for Pluralism in Ottawa, and the Aga Khan Museum and the Ismaili Centre in Toronto on the site of the old Bata shoe headquarters. Sonja Bata, founder of the Bata Shoe Museum, showed up at the community council meeting and endorsed Mr. Rasul's project.

"It's pretty clear Canada has a much bigger role to play on the world stage, in that Canada has a great reservoir of talent, knowledge and capabilities that could be used for the benefit of societies around the world," Mr. Rasul said.
"I'm a good example of that in that I've chosen to take my knowledge that I developed here and applied it elsewhere for the benefit of society."

Mr. Joshi said this will be a well-trodden path, with cities like Toronto and Vancouver -- with their large concentrations of immigrant populations -- becoming "breeding grounds" for such well-heeled individuals.

"What numbers do is maximize the odds of professional success, but they also make life easier for professionals," Mr. Joshi said. "You don't stand out if you're walking on Bay Street in a suit and tie if you're a person of colour any more."
 
Firoz Kassam,his father a former minister in the tanzanian government,hapa ni case ya plunder and then capital flight to a safe heaven and then your son takes over- This is one mistake Nyerere will never be forgiven,right behind his back some ministers grew extremely rich
 
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