Uganda’s business elite continue to shape the nation’s economic landscape, with several making notable appearances on Forbes Africa’s 2025 Billionaires List.
The newly released rankings highlight a diverse group of entrepreneurs whose fortunes span key sectors including real estate, telecommunications, manufacturing, hospitality, and agriculture.
At the helm is veteran businessman Sudhir Ruparelia, whose expansive investments through the Ruparelia Group have solidified his status as the wealthiest individual in Uganda with a net worth of $1.6 billion.
Despite previous challenges, such as the closure of Crane Bank in 2017, Ruparelia’s ventures remain resilient. His impressive portfolio includes flagship properties like Speke Resort Munyonyo, Pearl Kampala Business Park, Kabira Country Club, and Speke Apartments, among others.
His continued dominance in Uganda’s real estate and hospitality sectors reflects strategic growth and sound business acumen.
Uganda’s Billionaire Line-Up: Forbes Africa 2025 Rankings
2. Drake Lubega – $850 Million
Lubega, a formidable real estate investor, secures the second position thanks to his vast commercial properties, shopping arcades, and residential developments across Kampala. He has also diversified into hospitality and manufacturing.
3. Mansoor Matovu Yanga – $785 Million
Known for his vast property holdings and a strong footprint in logistics and transportation, Yanga has built a robust empire spanning Kampala’s prime locations and regional trade networks.
4. John Bosco Muwonge – $720 Million
Muwonge’s strategic investments in downtown Kampala, including several high-end malls and apartment blocks, have earned him a reputation as a key player in Uganda’s property development scene.
5. Godfrey Kirumira – $700 Million
Chairperson of the Kwagalana Group, Kirumira is deeply invested in petroleum, manufacturing, and real estate. His petroleum venture under GM Tumpeco continues to fuel his financial success.
6. Guster Lule Ntake – $697 Million
Ntake has built a diversified business portfolio covering hospitality, modern agriculture, and commercial real estate. His high-end hotels and resort developments position him among Uganda’s most respected tycoons.
7. Tom Kitandwe – $602.7 Million
Kitandwe’s fortune stems from expansive landholdings, investments in agribusiness, and interests in the telecommunications sector. His modern approach to farming has revolutionized agribusiness in the region.
8. Hamis Kiggundu – $601.9 Million
Popularly known as “Ham,” Kiggundu is one of Uganda’s youngest billionaires. His projects include Ham Towers, Ham Shopping Mall, and the redevelopment of Nakivubo War Memorial Stadium. A published author and advocate for youth entrepreneurship, Kiggundu also plays an active role in national discourse on economic empowerment.
9. Christine Nabukeera & Charles Mbire – $600 Million Each
Nabukeera is a key investor in luxury apartments and commercial properties, while Charles Mbire—chairman of MTN Uganda—has extensive interests in telecom, finance, energy, and pharmaceuticals. Mbire is widely regarded as one of Uganda’s most influential business figures.
10. Amos Nzeyi – $250 Million
Founder of Crown Beverages Limited, the franchise bottler of Pepsi products in Uganda, Nzeyi’s business interests also include agriculture, hospitality, and real estate. His steady, long-term investments have earned him a place among Uganda’s top business minds.
Economic Influence and Philanthropic Impact
Beyond amassing wealth, Uganda’s billionaires are playing a significant role in the country’s development. From job creation to philanthropy, their impact is felt across various sectors.
Sudhir Ruparelia, through the Ruparelia Foundation, supports education, healthcare, and community welfare. Hamis Kiggundu is an active promoter of youth-led entrepreneurship, while other moguls fund school projects, health centres, and infrastructural developments in their communities.
As Uganda’s economy continues to expand and attract foreign investment, these entrepreneurs stand at the forefront—reshaping the present and laying the foundation for a more prosperous future.
