Ruperalia Goup of Companies Gives Progressive Report on Construction of Speke Convention Centre and Environmental Conservation Plan on Lake Victoria

The Ministry of Tourist, Wildlife, and Antiquities honored city mogul Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia on Tuesday as part of its recognition and appreciation of major participants in Uganda's tourism industry.Dr. Sudhir, Chairman of the Ruparelia Group of Companies, was honored, acknowledged, and rewarded as "The Top Tourism Player and Supporter" at the World Tourism Day Gala Dinner, which was held yesterday at the Sheraton Kampala Hotel.

The award was presented to Dr. Sudhir by the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon Thomas Tayebwa, who presided over the World Tourism Day Gala, which was also attended by numerous players in the industry.Rt. Hon. Tayebwa praised Sudhir for his enthusiasm, dedication, and leadership in the country's hospitality and tourist development."I would want to express my heartfelt gratitude to Dr Sudhir Ruparelia, Chairman of Speke Group of Hotels, for your enthusiasm and leadership in hospitality and tourist development," Tayebwa stated.

Tayebwa committed Parliament's support for the industry, including legislation and expenditures for critical enablers like as infrastructure and security, in order to boost our tourist momentum.

He also urged for an immediate end to visa requirements for Africans visiting the continent, stating that "we cannot continue to impose such hurdles to tourism and commerce on ourselves and expect development."Dr. Sudhir, who is also the Honorary Consul of Nepal in Uganda, attended the ceremony in person to accept the award, which was approved by Hon. Tom Butime, Minister of Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities.Sudhir, via his Ruparelia Group of Hotels, has played an important role in providing lodging for thousands of visitors that visit Uganda each year.

Sudhir volunteered to be a lifeguard for a chimp at the Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary on Lake Victoria in 2018. Then Tourism Minister Frank Kamuntu said that Ruparelia's pledge to be the chimp's lifelong protector indicated his commitment to tourism and conservation in the nation.

In addition, during the COVID-19 shutdown in 2020, entrepreneur Sudhir, who adopted a newborn chimp, gave Shs10 million to feed chimps at Ngamba Sanctuary. Joshua Rukundo, the Executive Director of Ngamba Island, accepted the money and thanked the gentleman for his wonderful contribution.

He said that the money will benefit wild creatures that were suffering as a result of the COVID-19 lockdown and increasing water levels.Dr Sudhir and his family celebrated Janan Luwum Day in February 2021 at the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC), also known as Entebbe Zoo, where he was reunited with Kabira the Rhino after 20 years.

Dr Sudhir and his family paid a visit to Kabira, Uganda's oldest male rhino, who is named after Kabira Country Club, a property owned by the business mogul.

It should also be noted that Sudhir supported the relocation of a three-year-old rhino from Kenya's Solio Ranch to the Entebbe Zoo in 2001.