On Saturday, May 23, 2026, Ugandan businessman Sudhir Ruparelia visited the Next Media Park, where he took part in a live conversation on the Saturday Walla Show aired on Radio Walla and streamed on AfroMobile, sharing his entrepreneurial journey, business philosophy, and reflections on Uganda’s economic future.
The broadcast, which originated from the Content Creator Hub at Next Media Park, drew audiences across radio and digital platforms as Ruparelia recounted his rise from modest beginnings in Uganda to building one of the country’s most diversified business empires.
He reflected on discipline, patience, mentorship, and reinvestment as central pillars of long-term success.
Sudhir said he arrived in Uganda with about $40,000 and began his early ventures in trading salt and beer before gradually expanding into other sectors.
He explained that his growth was driven by identifying gaps in the market and responding to them with practical solutions.
“My first business was salt and beer. I moved around for about a year before deciding what to do, and from there I kept identifying problems and finding solutions around them,” Sudhir shared.
He encouraged young people to embrace gradual progress and work experience before venturing into independent business.
“I think one has to learn how to climb step by step. Anybody who graduates must work in an industry for two or three years before venturing into business,” Sudhir advised.
Throughout the conversation, he traced the evolution of the Ruparelia Group from forex trading in the early 1990s to investments spanning banking, real estate, hospitality, education, and philanthropy. He emphasized job creation as a key motivation behind his ventures.
“My main motive is to create jobs because society needs jobs,” he said during the interview.
The discussion also touched on leadership, financial discipline, wellness, faith, mentorship, and the importance of giving back to society. Ruparelia stressed that success carries responsibility beyond personal gain.
“Every successful person has the responsibility to give back to society,” he noted.
After the interview, Sudhir toured Next Media Park and commended Kin Kariisa and the entire Next Media team for their work in advancing Uganda’s media and creative industry.
His visit highlighted Next Media’s continued efforts to build platforms that inform, inspire, and connect audiences through conversations aimed at personal and national transformation.
