October 20, 2016, is the day when central bank took over the
management of Crane Bank Limited and later sold to DFCU. Many wrote off the
property mogul Mr Sudhir Ruparelia claiming that in few years he will be wiped
out in Ugandan business.
Three years after the takeover, the city business man has
since continued to soar. He has won three cases against the bank of Uganda.
What has helped Sudhir remain on top despite the Crane Bank
setback is the art of diversification, and close supervision of all
investments, and involving his now grown up children in the management of the
business empire.
Today, we bring you the over 20 companies under the
Ruparelia bag that have kept this group flying despite the turbulence that hit
their then high-flying flashship brand, Crane Bank, which at the time of its
closure was Uganda’s number two financial service facility. Sudhir has divested
in various sectors over the years in banking, insurance, hospitality,
conventions and leisure centres, education, real estate and floriculture. Most
of these companies are leading players in their respective areas.
1. PROPERTY
DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT
Crane Management and Meera Investments, are two companies
that have made Sudhir and his family Uganda’s largest private property owners,
managers and developers for commercial and private real estate. The companies
invest in office buildings, retail centres, industrial facilities, residential
units, development projects among others.
CRANE MANAGEMENT
SERVICES which has been in existence since 1996 is a professional property
management company which manages a large portfolio of properties within Kampala
and in towns like Jinja, Mbale, Mbarara to name a few. It manages all kinds of
properties from commercial, industrial, residential to office blocks.
“C.M.S. is responding to the need of professional management
services in the real estate sector at a time when Uganda is experiencing
spectacular development within the real estate management industry,” says the
group’s website.
On the other hand, MEERA INVESTMENTS was established in
1994. Its niche is innovative ideas in real estate, particularly in property
development and construction.
“Meera Investments LTD, embraces effective and efficient
solutions in all aspects of property development from design to finish, to
achieve maximum usage and productivity, which makes us the biggest landlord and
the leading property developer.” Says the group’s website.
2. INSURANCE
Ruparelia Group’s Gold Star Insurance Company is a
significant player in the Ugandan insurance market. The Company began
operations as early as 1996 when the Ugandan populace by choice did not insure
their property and the regulatory body was still in its infancy. This however
did not deter the company’s growth and development into a leading insurance
company in the country.
3. HOSPITALITY,
CONVENTIONS AND LEISURE
The Ruparelia Group runs some of Uganda’s largest and finest
hotels and resorts serving both the luxury and budget market. The Group offers
the ultimate in luxury accommodation, leisure facilities and the finest
conference and business meeting venues in Uganda, along with related businesses
including a rafting company.
All Ruparelia Group hotels and resorts are situated in the
most strategic locations and offer an array of luxury services, intense
hospitality, modern amenities and business facilities.
Munyonyo Commonwealth Resort is the front-runner in the
Ruparelia Group Leisure and Hospitality business.
This leading 5-star resort is set on 90 acres in the Speke
Resort complex, close to business, shopping and entertainment centres. The
comfort and convenience offered by the Resort has attracted several
high-profile visitors, from heads of state and foreign dignitaries to
international celebrities.
Ruparelia Group’s Leisure and Hospitality business also
features Kabira Country Club, an exquisite facility in Kampala that combines
short and long-term residential accommodation and conference facilities with
the most prestigious health, fitness and leisure complex in Uganda.
Tourist Hotel features a modest blend of all Ruparelia
Group’s deluxe accommodation, conference and leisure facilities into an
economically mindful package, with no compromise to service, convenience and
comfort. The hotel is located in a busy business centre in Kampala and offers a
choice of 70 comfortable rooms to the discerning businessperson and tourist at
budget prices.
Speke Hotel, another in the Ruparelia Group line, is one of
Kampala’s oldest hotels and offers all the charms of bygone days complimented
by efficient, modern services and facilities. Speke Hotel is located in the
heart of Kampala, close to banks and business centres. Dolphin Suites and Speke
Apartments offer overnight accommodation and holiday apartments to travellers
in Kampala for rent on a daily or monthly basis.
Others are: Forest Cottages in Bukoto and Speke Resort
Bujagali Falls.
4. EDUCATION
Ruparelia Group’s undertakings in education are
substantially influential in Uganda’s education sector.
With schools at the elementary and high school level, all
the way up to the local and international University level, the group has
offered world-class education services in all disciplines to students of
multiple nationalities and backgrounds. These include Kabira International
School, Kampala Parents’ School and Victoria University.
5. MEDIA
88.2 SANYU FM
Sanyu FM is the pioneer private FM radio station in East and
central Africa, broadcasting with a footprint of 100 KM radius around Kampala,
on the frequency of 88.2 Mhz, and another 100KM footprint around Mbale, on the
frequency of 96.4 Mhz.
The Station has over its 20-year existence maintained its
position as a leading radio station in Uganda with its strength rooted from the
unique, clearly differentiated mix of music, top-notch presenters and hourly
news updates.
6. FLORICULTURE
Ruparelia Group has had far-reaching success in the
floriculture market in Uganda and the companies have made a name for themselves
as front-runners in the industry. The farms not only excel in the production of
a multitude of premium high-quality rose varieties but also in exports,
commanding over 35% of the rose-export market in Uganda.
PREMIER ROSES
Premier Roses — located in Entebbe, Uganda —produces the
highest quality of exclusive roses in the world while maintaining its status as
top exporter of cut roses in the country.
Focused on meeting the high standards of Good Agricultural
Produce (GAP), and placing great importance on economic, social and
environmental sustainability, Premier Roses aims to achieve improved efficiency
of natural resources and environmental conservation, reduced use of
agrochemicals, and conservation of existing environmental habitats.
ROSEBUD
Based in Entebbe, Uganda, Rosebud Ltd is the country’s
largest exporter of roses commanding around 35% of Uganda’s rose-export market.
Utilizing ultramodern equipment, the company’s highly
skilled employees use their intimate knowledge and love for roses to produce at
a mass scale with a watchful eye for the quality and delicacy of the crop.
The greenhouses cover a total of 42 hectares producing and
exporting over 9 million stems per month.
7. PREMIER
RECRUITMENT LIMITED
Premier Recruitment is located on the 1st Floor of Crane
Chambers and is a recently incorporated company licensed for external
recruitment. The agency is also part of UAERA.
Premier Recruitment has a commitment to helping decrease the
high level of Ugandan unemployment by providing opportunities for Ugandans here
in Uganda and abroad.
8. RUPARELIA
FOUNDATION
You can say this is one SPEND project for the Group. One
which gives back to the community. The Ruparelia Foundation works to improve
and promote health, education, sports, general welfare, poverty eradication,
improve livelihoods, support the welfare of wildlife and preservation of the
environment by fostering partnerships among businesses, corporations, with the
government, non-governmental organisations and individuals.