Uganda’s largest property mogul Dr Sudhir Ruparelia has been elected Trustee of The Indian Association Uganda.
The Ruparelia Group Chairperson was elected over the weekend during a function held at the Association’s office in Kampala.
“Today I was elected one of the trustees of Indian Association. Thank you all,” Dr Sudhir said in a social media post shortly after the development.
For More than hundred years, Indian Association Uganda has excelled at leading Uganda’s Indian community and has enjoyed unrivalled record for peace through its efforts to build cohesive societies.
It is estimated that there are over 27,000 Indians living in Uganda and they have played a key role in growing Uganda’s economy. The Indian Community in Uganda is said to be contributing over a half of Uganda tax revenue.
Early this month, President Yoweri Museveni commended the Indian Community in Uganda for the enormous contribution towards the economic development of the country before independence and also for the efforts towards national economic recovery after the protracted armed struggle that ushered NRM into power in 1986.
“The most important thing between the Indian community and the local community in the country is complementarity of the two communities in trade. The Indians accelerated economic growth of the country by stimulating industrialization through trade, manufacturing, delivery of both human and animal drugs and extensive agriculture,” he said.
Among successful companies by Ugandan Indians are Ruparelia Group, Madhvani, Scoul, Mukwano among others.
The President addressing members of the Indian community in Uganda during ‘Diwali Celebrations 2019′ dinner that he and the 1st Lady hosted at State House, Entebbe. Vice President, Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi, Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda, Cabinet Ministers, MPs and other government officials, attended the dinner.
The President said that when NRM came to government, it made clear that the presence of the Indian community in Uganda had to be recognized for the positive role the Indians had been playing in the development of the country.
“It was indeed a big mistake for Idi Amin to expel the Indians. They were a big asset to Africans,” adding that there was also need to make it clear by 1986 in the National Resistance Council (NRC) debate and in Parliament in 1995 to deliberate on the return of properties to the Asian Community returnees.
“Today, I am very happy. NRM was very clear for it settled the problem and on return, the Indians responded. They have done much on the economic recovery and development of Uganda,” he added.
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