Prominent businessman Sudhir Ruparelia has been appointed Mentor and Coordinator of the Uganda chapter of the Shree Lohana Mahaparishad for the 2026–2031 term.
The appointment was announced as the organisation unveiled a new leadership team that will guide the Lohana community in Uganda over the next five years. In his new position, Dr. Ruparelia will provide strategic guidance and mentorship aimed at strengthening the community’s cultural, social and development initiatives.
The Shree Lohana Mahaparishad is a global organisation that brings together members of the Lohana community through educational, charitable and cultural programmes. It has an estimated membership of more than three million people worldwide, while its Ugandan chapter comprises about 550 members.
The newly elected leadership will be headed by Kiran Bhimjiyani as Uganda Zonal President. He will be deputised by Bhaskar Kotecha, while Sanjay Thakkar will serve as Uganda Zonal Secretary.
At the regional level, Janak Gadhiya was named Kampala City President, Piyush Kotecha will lead the Jinja chapter, while Sanjay Hathi will oversee the Mbale chapter.
Members of the community have welcomed the appointments, expressing confidence that the new leadership will promote greater unity, strengthen member engagement and expand welfare and community development programmes.
Dr. Ruparelia brings decades of experience in business leadership to the mentorship role. As chairman of the Ruparelia Group, he has built one of East Africa’s largest privately owned business conglomerates, with investments across real estate, hospitality, education, agriculture, insurance and property development, creating thousands of jobs in the process.
Beyond business, he serves as Nepal’s Honorary Consul to Uganda, where he has contributed to enhancing diplomatic and commercial relations between the two countries. Through the Ruparelia Foundation, he has also supported initiatives in education, healthcare, youth empowerment, sports and community development.
Community leaders believe his experience in entrepreneurship, philanthropy and public service will provide valuable guidance as the Uganda chapter works to advance the objectives of the Shree Lohana Mahaparishad during its new five-year term.
Operating across Africa, Asia, Europe and North America, the organisation continues to promote cultural heritage, networking and socio-economic empowerment among members of the global Lohana community. The newly elected Ugandan leadership is expected to play a key role in expanding these efforts in the years ahead.