The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed, with costs to the respondents, an appeal by Bank of Uganda against businessman Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia and Meera Investments, the real estate arm of the Ruparelia Group, bringing to end a five year litigation battle between the businessman and the central bank.

The five justices of Supreme Court including Rubby Opio Aweri, Percy Tuhaise, Ezekiel Muhanguzi,Prof. Tibatemwa Ekirikubinza and Faith Mwondha also ordered that the management of Crane Bank (in receivership) be returned to its shareholders, the original owners.

Now, in an interview with Spy Uganda, a local online news website, Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia has lamented that Bank of Uganda actions to close Crane Bank and allegation of mismanaging the bank he founded injured his reputation as a businessman.

"I made heavy losses because of Bank of Uganda. My reputation as a businessman was destroyed. I have never failed any business. Bank of Uganda killed my career when they said I had failed my own business, Crane Bank. That has a bearing especially with my business partners,"

He added: "I told you from the beginning that Bank of Uganda stole my bank. I thank the judiciary for not shielding such dubious games. They have to pay costs of the suit right from the commercial court to the Supreme Court,"

When Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia lost Crane Bank over alleged mismanagement, by law, it meant that he cannot open or directly run another financial institution. In fact, because of that, he also lost his forex bureaus.  This, he says, is not good for his name and business.

World Class Speke Resort Munyonyo Hotel has been unveiled as the official hospitality partner for Nigerian singer Michael Adebayor popularly known as Ruger ahead of his much-anticipated music concert in Kampala.

The grand revelation was made on Friday, February 11, at a press conference held at the swanky hotel premises in Munyonyo, Kampala.

The ‘Bounce’ and ‘Dior’ fame singer will be one of the headliners on the big brunch “We Outside – Tuli Wawelu” concert happening tomorrow – Saturday, February 12, 2022, at Dungu Resort in Kampala, Uganda.

The soft-spoken singer is set to stay a bit longer in Uganda as events organizers will seek to book him for more performances. And while in Uganda, the singer will stay at the five star hotel and enjoy the hospitality of Uganda, the pearl of Africa.

Greg Petzer, general manager of Speke Resort Munyonyo revealed that Ruger chose to stay at the swanky hotel because of its fame and world-class hospital services, further adding that the singer will stay for 3 nights at the Munyonyo based facility.

Speke Resort Munyonyo and Munyonyo Commonwealth Conference Centre, both subsidiary hotels under the Ruparelia Group stand out as the ultimate hotspot for luxury accommodation and leisure facilities to travelers and walk-in guests.

The five-star world-class hotels also offer a choice of luxury accommodation to suit individuals, couples, families, or groups on either long or short stay – cottages, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments, or studio rooms.

Unique amongst the resort are dining spaces that offer breath-taking lake views and are surrounded by fragrant, tropical blossoming trees, with the melodious sound of waves, monkeys, and birds at flight.

For Bookings & Reservations, Contact Speke Resort Munyonyo on tel: +256 414 227 111 or +256 752 711 321. You can also book for a slot via its website on www.spekeresort.com

Ruparelia Group, the conglomerate with presence in almost all aspects of the economy, is considering venturing into the television business in an attempt to expand their media investment in the country.

The Group already owns 88.2 Sanyu FM, the country’s oldest FM radio station, which it purchased from its original proprietor John Kato. Kato started the urban radio station in 1993. It first went on air on 18^th December 1993.

Rajiv Ruparelia, the Managing Director of the Ruparelia Group, speaking at the finale of the Sanyu FM Hot Mic Search competition, revealed that the company is toying with the idea of starting a television station.

“We are going to change the (media) scene; we are going to be innovative and we are going to make sure we get the biggest following,” Rajiv said, adding: “And eventually if things go well, Ruparelia Group might enter the TV space and other media spaces,” Rajiv hinted on their possible plans.

Ethan Kavuma aka Eth Lawinsky emerged as the winner of the Sanyu FM’s Hot Mic Search competition. He won a cash prize of Shs3m and a 3-year job contract at Sanyu FM.

Ethan, together with the first and second runners up - Philo Mena and Timothy Code respectively -, Rajiv said will get jobs to work at Sanyu FM as on-air presenters.

Rajiv noted that Uganda is full of talented youth, explaining that the new presenters who are talented will come in hot and relevant to the youth of today and their challenges.

Businessman Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia, the chairman of Ruparelia Group which owns Speke Group of Hotels, has told CEO East Africa Magazine that they will be closing down Speke Resort and Conference Centre and Munyonyo Commonwealth Resort due to the effects coronavirus disease (COVID19) has had on the economy, particularly the tourism sector.

The closure of the two five-star hotels in Munyonyo takes effect on Friday 27^th March 2020 to until when COVID19 has been thoroughly dealt with.  The businessman said other hotels like Forest Cottages in Naguru and Dolphin Suites in Bugolobi will subsequently follow. Kabira Country Club will partly be closed. 

"It is really bad. We have decided to close Speke Resort and the Commonwealth Resort. We will reopen once corona issue I sorted out. For the others like Kabira Country Club, only a small section will remain open," Sudhir told the CEO in a phone interview.

Under the Speke Group of Hotels, Ruparelia Group boasts of the largest and wealthiest chain of hotels, restaurants and apartments in the country. The group also owns Speke Hotel, Rock Bar & Grill, Speke Apartments Wampewo, Speke Apartments Kitante, La Cabana Restaurant, among others.

The Group recently launched the construction of a five-star Speke Resort and Convention Center in Entebbe.

Lost Jobs

The businessman also revealed that about 3000 workers will at this moment lose their employment. Already, 1000 of the 3000 have been relieved of their duties and another 2000 will follow. Group employees 8000 workers in its hotels' chain.

Already, Ruparelia Group has felt the pangs of COVID19 after they were forced to close Kampala Parents School, Kampala International School Uganda and Victoria University following a presidential directive for the country to close all schools.

Many teachers, administrators, services providers were put out of employment until the situation normalizes.

Impact of COVID19

Uganda, as of 26^th March 2020, had confirmed 14 cases with no death but a global death toll of more than 10, 000 people had been recorded. Many countries had issued travel bans to their citizens dealing a big blow to the global economy.

In Uganda, President Yoweri Museveni issued a directive that no passenger flight should be allowed in the country or to leave. He also issued a ban on public transport as the country slowly shuts down in an effort to combat COVID19.

Many times, young students make wrong academic choices especially when it comes to the courses they are to study at university. These wrongly chosen courses equally lead these students to careers they don’t like or have talents to excel.

To avoid, Delhi Public School International (DPSI), the only international school in Uganda teaching India’s acclaimed Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), had representatives of universities from the UK and Canada offer their career guidance to their students.

“Our students having one on one Career Guidance sessions with representatives from various universities in Canada and the UK. This Career Guidance Fair was organized at DPSI by S3 Education,” DPSI posted on social media with pictures of the career guidance sessions.

Delhi Public School International said that as an international school they have an obligation to prepare their students to be able to make the right academic choices and for that matter, they have engaged some of the best international universities in the world to share their experiences.

DPSI, a member of the Ruparelia Group, also involves parents ‘in the school planning process because students develop better social skills and improved behaviour when their parents are involved at school.’

“Our school prides itself on the balanced education it provides, the world-class facilities on offer, high moral standards and the fact that our students strive for excellence in all spheres of school life,” the school in a public statement.

DPSI as a school is both modern and forward-looking, yet remains close to the values on which it was founded.

It has recently invested in world-class laboratories ‘because combining classroom teaching with laboratory experiments ensures students interact directly with the data gathered to get a first-hand learning experience.’

“At Delhi Public School International Kampala, we try to recognize the imperative of imparting an educational experience that is world-class in every respect and which prepares children for global citizenship.

We believe that a curriculum of excellence with a global dimension is central to the education of children to face the challenges of the 21st century with confidence and strength of character,” the school said. 

Swimming has so many social and health benefits. It is even better if your initiation into the swimming frenzy is under the watch of a professional trainer and in a competent swimming pool.

Dolphin Suites located at Plot 36, Princess Anne Drive, Bugolobi in Kampala is currently offering free swimming lessons to its clients who might want to learn how to safely play in the waters.

The hotel recently announced that all a customer has to do to get the free-swimming training from professionals is to pay a small pool access fee of Shs20, 000 for adults or Shs15, 000 and a trainer will be at your service.

This is offer is only available every Wednesday and Friday at 2 pm to 4:30 pm.

Dolphin Suites is a subsidiary of the Ruparelia Group under the Speke Group of Hotels and has proved to be the ultimate luxury destination for people in Kampala or those that are visiting the Uganda capital.

The hotel provides ‘a friendly and courteous service’ and ‘a perfect ambience' that ensures value for money to its travelling guests.

Dolphin Suites has established itself as the epitome of relaxed grandeur, welcoming visitors to the city with stunningly appointed rooms and a host of facilities.

It is a unique boutique-style hotel offering 27 luxurious and comfortable guest rooms with individual balconies overlooking the hillside of Bugolobi and the city of Kampala.

An ideal choice for those who want a quiet stay, close to the business and corporate houses, while being located just 5 KM from the city centre and 35 KM north from the Entebbe International Airport.

A combination of services and dedication of the trained and motivated staff will make your stay comfortable leaving you feeling home-away-from-home. Members, residents and guests can also take time out to relax and de-stress with a little pampering.