Uganda’s Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities (MTWA) has recognised and awarded billionaire businessman, Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia for what it was his “passion and leadership” in the development of the hospitality and tourism industry in Uganda.
Dr. Sudhir, who is the Chairman of the Speke Group of Hotels, was honoured at a dinner hosted by the ministry to mark this year’s World Tourism Day, held at Sheraton Kampala Hotel on Tuesday 27th September.
The businessman was recording alongside other private sector and non-government tourism players playing various roles in promoting Uganda’s tourism potential.
Haj Omar Mandela, whose Mandela Group runs and operates the famous Cafe Java’s (CJ’s) chain of restaurants was also recognised for his passion, innovation and development of the hospitality sector.
The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) was awarded for its dedicated support towards Sustainable Tourism Development in Uganda, while the World Bank Uganda Country Office, was awarded for its dedicated support towards Sustainable Tourism Development in
Uganda. The European Union Delegation to Uganda was awarded and recognised for its “dedicated support towards Sustainable Tourism Development”.
Ugandan artist Eddy Musuuza (Eddy Kenzo) was feted for using his music to promote Destination Uganda while multi-gold-winning athlete, Joshua Chepetegei was recognised for using his sports platforms to promote tourism.
Next Media Services was recognised in the media category.
Speaking at the event, Rt. Hon. TOm Tayebwa, the Deputy Speaker of Parliament hailed the businessman for continued investor-trust in Uganda, saying he is one of the investors, who despite many options, has held Uganda at heart.
“I know people who have been calling Dr Sudhir to go and develop their countries,” said the Deputy Speaker, adding: “Chairman, I want to thank you and your team of investors who have looked at Uganda as your number one destination for investment”.
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Dr. Sudhir’s Speke Group of Hotels owns a total of 13 resorts, hotels and serviced apartments, altogether providing more than 900 modern rooms and 45 State of Art Conference rooms and meetings, award-winning restaurants and bars, health clubs and spas, and recreation and leisure facilities.
The group has a number of other projects in the pipeline, namely the Kingdom Kampala Hotel; a high-end luxury Hotel with 220 luxurious rooms/penthouses; 35 conference rooms, as well as 226 luxurious apartments. Construction is set to begin in 2023.
The Group is also building a record 360 high-end serviced apartments at Kabira Country Club, also owned by the businessman.
The Speke Resort and Convention Centre, a USD100 million high-end hotel is in the world in Entebbe town. The luxury facility will have a 350-room project, a marina for 50 boats, 4 restaurants and a carrying capacity of 3,500 persons. The 5-star facility will also have conference facilities, with the largest hosting up to 1,500 persons, 3 wedding grounds and parking space for 1500 cars.
Uganda’s efforts to position itself as a competitive destination in the region especially in the lucrative Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) category is being hampered by years of underinvestment in the sector- frequently losing out to regional rivals especially Kenya.
Industry experts say that to compete with Kenya, Uganda needs to deliver up to about 1,000,000 rooms countrywide. At the end of 2018, there were an estimated 6,000 accommodation facilities in Uganda offering about 487,000 beds and 410,000 rooms. By comparison, Kenya has about 800,000 rooms.
Uganda’s competitiveness is also hampered by the low presence of international hotel brands. As of June 2019, only 4 international hotel chains were operating in Uganda i.e. Marriott International Group (Sheraton Hotel and Protea Hotel brands); Louvre Hotels Group (Golden Tulip Canaan brand); and Hilton Garden Inn and Latitude 0˚. According to the Knight Frank report, the top 10 African countries with branded chains of hotels are South Africa 9430), Egypt (300), Morocco (153), Tunisia (103), Kenya (68), Mauritius (60), Nigeria (58), Tanzania (46), Zimbabwe (31) and Algeria (28).
With 13 resorts, hotels and apartments, altogether providing more than 900 modern rooms and 45 State of Art Conference rooms, and another three major hotel projects in the pipeline, Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia is Uganda’s largest investor and employer in the tourism sector.