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Who Are the Richest People in Uganda?
[April 09, 2007]

Who Are the Richest People in Uganda?


(New Vision (Uganda) Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge) FROM real estate to mineral water: Who are the richest people in Uganda?

INGENUITY, not industry, is the common characteristic of the people who have featured in our rich list. These people made money in everything from media and real estate to coffee, farming and road haulage. The list is not limited to Ugandans and it includes individuals and families born overseas, but who predominantly work and/or live in Uganda.



We have measured identifiable wealth, whether land, property or significant shares in publicly quoted companies and we have excluded bank accounts - to which we have no access.

There are probably a number of other wealthy individuals or families that we cannot know about because we have no way of ascertaining their wealth. They not only keep a low profile, but also avoid anything that will associate themselves with wealth.


Rather than list the person or family in an A, B or C class, we have categorised them into classes. The rich list does not include individuals who are actively engaged in politics like Members of Parliament or ministers. We shall publish that list separately when we access records of the declaration of their wealth.

The Fast Money Class

THESE are the people most of us never hear about or even know. Most of their businesses are concentrated between Kampala Road going down to Arua Park, Kikuubo, Luwum Street, the Old Park and New Taxi Park in the city and similar places in most towns. Most of their transactions are in hard cash rather than cheques. A good number of them have also ventured out into the lucrative money-lending trade. Their passports would most likely be filled with visas to Dubai. They are not the sort you would find in the Kampala Serena, but sitting quietly in The Tavern on Kampala Road, TLC on George Street and attending the odd album launch at Sabrina's Pub. The women are most likely driving a Pajero short chassis, while the men drive a Toyota kibina.

Alooni Mwagalwa: Luweero-based Mwagalwa is the owner of Nakaseke International College, which is the largest private education institution in Luweero District. He also owns several businesses in Kampala and is an agent for Uganda Breweries.

George Kahwa: The Fort Portal-based Kahwa is the proprietor of Cornerstone Business that includes Heart Beat Discotheque and a hotel.

Haruna Musiwa: Based in Mbale, Haruna Musiwa has made a pile of money from moneylending. That aside, he is a farmer and into real estate.

SulaIman Mafabi Lumolo: A Mbale tycoon who has made fast money from importing cars.

Johnson Ocol: A construction company owner, Ocol, who is based in Lira, owns petrol stations and fuel tankers. He is also trades between Uganda, the UK and Dubai. He is into real estate as well.

Elisha Kakyomya: Based in Fort Portal, Kakyomya owns several tea estates in Kabarole. He has a number of houses which he rents out to Mountains of the Moon University. His property interests aside, he has made some money as a Uganda Breweries agent.

Acaali Kobusinge: Kobusinge owns several storeyed buildings on Rukidi Street in Fort Portal and is known to drive several plush cars.

Drake Lubega: He is well known among the business community that operates around Luwum Street in Kampala. His business portfolio includes Qualicel Bus Terminal, Sun City Arcade, Majestic Plaza and SB Plaza.

Steven Njubi: Despite being among the richest people in Iganga, Njubi is a down-to-earth man. It is common to find the moneyed trader wearing grubby attire and bathroom slippers at one of his numerous construction sites in Iganga town. Njubi boasts numerous multi-million shilling assets and buildings under construction in both Iganga and Jinja towns. In Iganga, the tycoon owns Victoria High School, an incomplete shopping mall behind Crane Bank plus an imposing proposed hotel structure on Saza Road. He had to part with over sh300m to buy all the adjacent buildings from immediate neighbours so as to set up the expansive hotel structure.

Moses Kyatwoha: Bushenyi-based Kyatwoha, is the director of MK Petrol stations in Kampala and Bushenyi.

Aggrey Twimukye: Twimukye owns several buildings in Mbarara Municipality. He also owns Oxford Hotel.

Olet Elyak: He owns fleets of buses, an assembling plant, a construction company and a hotel complex in Lira.

Gluepot Sande: He owns several buildings on Mugurusi Street in Fort Portal and has a road haulage company under the name of PEKASA.

George Atyam: He owns chunks of land and rental and commercial houses in Kabale. He is also an agent for Uganda Breweries and Crown Beverages.

Bosco Ogwang Edola: Lira-based Edola owns the White House Hotel and is constructing another multi-million shilling hotel on the outskirts of town. He also owns a number fuel stations and is a timber dealer.

Apollo Ntegamahe: The Kabale-based businessman has over 30 trailers and exports produce to Rwanda and Burundi. He was recently given an award by President Yoweri Museveni for being a good exporter.

Sebastian Munulo aka Mwaana: Munulo owns the popular Mwaana Highway Hotel on Main Street in Iganga town. It is a popular spot for tourists and local travellers going through Iganga.

Chris Kafule: Kafule controls C. K. Distributors in Wandegeya. Kafule has made vast sums of money from his beer distributing chain and has invested heavily in real estate.

Dr. Herman Kigoye: Kigoye owns Byansi Clinic and Laboratory Services in Masaka Town. He also has a number of buildings in Masaka and Kalisizo in Rakai. He is the main supplier of drugs and medical equipment to health units in Masaka.

Hajat Sarah Kiyimba: Kiyimba owns Hotel Brovad and is said to be one of the richest people in Masaka.

Haji Ali Halari Kamru: Kamru is the owner of GASO Transport Company, which has a fleet of over 25 coaches plying the route between Kampala and Bujumbura, Kigali, Mutukula and other areas.

Andrew Kasagga aka Zzimwe: Kasagga should have been in the Super-Rich Class, but a series of bad investments and deals have seen his wealth plummet.

Vincent Opio: He is the northern region British America Tobacco Uganda distributor based in Lira. He owns a number of warehouses, a car rental service and fully furnished residential rental houses.

Moses Kalungi: He is into property, the most famous being Kalungi Plaza.

Joseph Behakanira: Though his hotel on Entebbe Road collapsed, that did not halt Behakanira. His Bwebajja Hotel is still on course and he also owns the Avemar Complex near the Old Taxi Park.

Bernard Ogwang Ocwoo: Based in Lira, Ocwoo owns a multi-billion shilling private hospital and a construction company. He also supplies food to the UPDF and WFP.

Josephine Kizza: She was not heard of until President Museveni and his Cabinet visited her Masaka farm last month. Her farming efforts reportedly reap close to sh50m a month.

Patrick Lucky: The director of a fleet of over 50 buses running under Kalita Bus Services that operate in Kampala and Nairobi. He is based in Fort Portal.

Stephen Mugasa: Mugasa is The New Vision agent in Fort Portal. That aside, he owns a string of houses on the prestigious Mugurusi Street which he rents out to NGOs and upper society folk.

Kayonza: Everybody who lives in Bugolobi right down to Luzira would have heard of Kayonza. Though most people know him for his beer distribution business, the unassuming Kayonza is into the road haulage business as well as property.

Michael Awany: Awany owns over eight fuelling stations in Lira and Masindi districts. He is currently constructing a fuel depot and also owns a number of residential rental houses.

George Namachi: A prominent Busia-based businessman, Namachi owns all the buildings on Nebolola Lane. That aside, he is reported to have estates in Kampala.

Emmanuel Amaza: Based in Adjumani, he owns Zawadi Hotel. He is also the chairman of a construction company in the district and one of the largest estate owners. He handled the construction of the district headquarters as well as bridges.

Fred Akampumuza: Into real estate. He owns the Akamwesi hostels in Kampala and a number of apartments.

Felix Orii: Is a distributor for Nile Breweries and Crown Beverages products in Adjumani District.

Charles Muhangi: The man from Mbarara is heavily into the transport business with his Horizon buses.

Omar Mandela: Owns the chain of Mandela Auto Spares in Kampala and some real estate.

George Kermundu Adubango aka K G: He is the founder of K. G. Engineering and Construction Works based in Nebbi. He has probably constructed more bridges and classroom blocks in West Nile than any other construction firm. He has also invested in estates.

Philip Mangeni Aremo: The Busia-born Aremo has estates in Busia, deals in beef and owns Aremo Hotel and Black and White Hotel on Customs Road. He also owns Busime Sand Beach on the shores of Lake Victoria and Melons Bar in Mukono.

Timothy Jokkene: The Gulu-based Jokkene owns petrol stations in Gulu and several other towns.

Kakanyero: He is a businessman with many estates in Gulu town. Kakanyero owns a large student hostel rented by students of Gulu University. He also owns Kakanyero Hotel.

Ben Kavuuya: He is a moneylender operating in Kampala city.

Young, Self-Employed Class

THEY are not quite in the league of the super-rich, but nevertheless are on the move up the ladder. Some of them are likely to move into the Super-Rich Class in years to come.

Peter Niwagaba: Niwagaba has eight petrol stations in Kabale and Kampala. He is also into property - commercial and residential - and land.

Crescent Baguma: The Fort Portal-based Baguma is the proprietor of BCR Road Unit. It is said that his mansion has bulletproof windows. He also has a passion for cars and owns a Hummer.

Enid Atalyeba: She is the director of Shell Uganda Fort Portal and owns ATACO Country Resort.

Elvis Sekyanzi: Though he has a famous father in Gordon Wavammuno, Sekyanzi broke out of his father's shadow. He is a shareholder in WBS Television, Simba Radio, Hot 100 FM and Club Silk. He is also a part owner of the company that hosts the PAM Awards annually.

Robinah Bwita: She is the director of Travellers Inn, Fort Portal.

Ivan Batuma: The gifted engineer from Kabale owns Highland Hotel, Overland Camp at Lake Bunyonyi and a large chunk of land.

Sylvia Owori: The fashion designer has real estate on Bulago Island and is the owner of African Woman magazine.

Arthur Busingye: The reclusive Busingye has interests in Cineplex Cinema in Kampala and real estate. There is also mention of a coffee export business and transportation firm.

Halima Wakabhu: She is the proprietor of Green Circle School in Fort Portal.

Peter Sematimba: Peter 'super duper' Sematimba is perhaps one of the most flamboyant men in Kampala. Despite standing for the Kampala mayorship and losing, Sematimba always had his Super FM and Dungeon Studios to fall back on.

Eric Byenkya: He is still making money from his law firm.

Oscar Kihika: Like his law partner, Eric Byenkya, Kihika has amassed a fortune from law. He is also trying to get his singing career off the ground, though it is unlikely that the revenue he will earn from CD sales will match what he makes from his law firm.

Edwin Karugire: People say he made his money because he married President Museveni's daughter. However, those who really know Karugire dismiss that notion. His company, Kiwanuka, Karugire and Co. Advocates is very successful. A modest man who is not averse to buying drinks for the boys, he has also branched out into the lucrative business of selling airtime cards, and has a franchise on Entebbe Road.

Kiryowa Kiwanuka: Like his law firm partner Edwin Karugire, Kiwanuka is very intelligent, witty and has tales that can go on until the end of the world. Though already rich and successful, there is a lot more to come from him.

Isaac Mulindwa: Prominent as the face of the PAM Awards, Mulindwa owns a construction firm in Florida, US, that generates an income of over $100,000 a year. He also has interests in Club Silk, Hot 100 FM and Radio Simba.

Masembe Kanyerezi: Kanyerezi made a mark when he attached Thomas Katto's Mercedes Benz when the courts closed down Katto's International Credit Bank. Aside from his law firm and real estate, he owns the dry cleaning franchise, Spotclean.

Andrew Rugasira: Famed for bringing South African artiste, Lucky Dube, to Uganda. Though he closed down VR Promotions, he is back on his feet selling his Good African Coffee on the shelves of Selfridges and Tesco in England, as well as Shoprite Checkers in South Africa.

Kenneth Kizza aka Gumpo: Selling airtime has made him very wealthy. He is one of the few people in town who own a Humvee. A tale is told that while at a wedding in Mbarara, as President Museveni was leaving the function, he saw Gumpo's Humvee literally parked on an ant hill. Pausing to look at the monster car, he asked one of his security detail if the car was one of theirs.

Charlie Lubega: He owns some real estate downtown on top of his successful Ange Noir night club and a business in London.

Jitu Parma: The Tile Centre boss has built himself a fortune from selling tiles.

Charles Odere: Another lawyer who has made a pile of money. He also owns a hotel in Pallisa.

Alan Shonubi: Shonubi owns Shoal House on Bombo Road and a number of other properties, including a house to die for in Kololo. He also has a successful law firm.

Nina Karugaba: Whoever said that interior designing does not pay should have a look at the success of Karugaba. Not only did she build the three-storeyed building on Jinja Road that houses her flagship store, Nina Interiors, she has also accumulated property both in Kampala and Kabale.

James Nyakuni: Known for the fleet of new white GaaGaa buses that ply the Kampala-West Nile route, he started in a humble way. After dropping out of school in P7 he went into brickmaking and building before starting a stall in Arua dealing in metal fabrications. Later he tried a bicycle spares shop. It is trading in fuel and cigarettes that saw him travel to Nairobi occasionally on business trips out of which his business acumen was nourished. He established a business branch in northeastern DR Congo before venturing into transportation. Nyakuni is also a real estate mogul with expensive houses in Arua and Kampala.

The CEO Class

By virtue of the jobs they hold as top managers and CEOs, this group are paid well enough. The people we have picked for this category are those who normally command space in the newspapers and are visible in society. Some of them own their own businesses, but they are not yet up there.

Maggie Kigozi: The executive director of the Uganda Investment Authority has the task of convincing people that Uganda is the right place to invest their money.

David Chandi Jamwa: A former partner with PriceWaterhouse Coopers, Chandi is the managing director of the National Social Security Fund. It is a fund with quite a bit of political interest.

Emmanuel Tumusiime Mutebile: As the governor of the Bank of Uganda, Mutebile virtually controls the direction of the nation's economy.

Ivan Kyayonka: Since he left university, Kyayonka has dedicated his life to Shell. He is one of those people who started at the bottom of the ranks and has risen to become country manager.

Allen Kagina: As head of the Uganda Revenue Authority, Kagina commands a hefty pay cheque.

Richard Byarugaba: High-flyer in the banking industry who was recently appointed to a top position in Barclays Bank.

Baker Magunda: The MD of Uganda Breweries.

William Muhairwe: The CEO of National Water and Sewerage Corporation owns the glass building that houses the Japanese Embassy in Nakasero.

Conrad Nkutu: The troubled MD of The Monitor newspaper is a force to be reckoned with, not only because of his pay cheque but because he also controls the opposition media.

William Kalema: A graduate of Cambridge University in England, Kalema is very intelligent and astute. He has worked in the US and Zambia. He also sits on a number of boards and has also been known to write some speeches for President Museveni. He owns a Bugolobi-based consultancy.

Charles Hamya: Patience pays. From a sales executive at Multichoice, Hamya has risen to the post of MD. Apart from that, he is investing in real estate with Kololo Heights.

Tom Mugenga: Mugenga is into clearing and forwarding. He sits in a simple office in Industrial Area in Kampala, but recently expanded his business and opened up an office in Mombasa. Apart from that he also invested heavily in a fleet of SCANIA trucks.

Mariam Luyombo: She started off with Taibah High School in Kawempe. Since then she has expanded her chain of schools to three and there is every indication that a fourth is on its way.

Martin Drito: The managing director of Drito Global Corporation, a firm that deals in precious minerals and timber. He has life membership on some international gold associations. With a plush office on Workers House the Arua-born Drito cruises a Jaguar, Mercedes S class and a Lexus, all with personalised number plates.

Expatriate Class

David Njoroge: With sales from Hima Cement reaching new heights, Njoroge is assured of a hefty pay cheque.

A. R. Kalan: The managing director of Crane Bank, which pays him well enough for him to afford to own his own boat, which is moored at Speke Resort Munyonyo.

Ian Sturrock: The managing director of dfcu Bank.

David Cutting: The managing director of Standard Chartered Bank.

Kitili Mbathi: The managing director of Stanbic Bank.

Nick Mbuvi: One of the youngest managing directors of Barclays Bank.

William Pike: The CEO of Capital FM and co-owner of Kenya's KISS and Classic FM. He owns a mansion and apartments to let in Bugolobi.

Eric van Veen: As chief operating officer of the largest telecommunications provider in the country, he is a force to be reckoned with.

Ian Clarke: Clarke moved his International Hospital from Old Kampala to Namuwongo, and it is one of the most successful private hospitals in Uganda.

Patrick Quarcoo: Advertising pays. With his company QG Saatchi and Saatchi doing the advertising for the much-sought-after MTN account, he is raking in the cash. He also has interests in Cool Graphics, Capital FM and KISS FM in Nairobi. Very flamboyant and has the gift of the gab.

Cathy Watson: With donor money, Cathy Watson started off Straight Talk Foundation from a small office in Bukoto, advising the youth about sexual matters and HIV/AIDS. Since then she has incorporated Young Talk and also Tree Talk. Straight Talk recently moved into bigger office next door to Capital FM.

The Religious Class

RELIGION is big. It sells and the new breed of God's men and women know how to get the money rolling in. They don't stand at the pulpit and give boring sermons. They excite, dazzle and woo the congregation. And when the time comes for the congregation to make their offerings, they dig deep into their pockets.

Pastor K. L. Dickson: He is one of the richest pastors in Fort Portal. He is the President of World Evangelical Ministries, Kabarole Christian Fellowship and he owns Life FM and King Oyo Secondary School.

Pastor Robert Kayanja: As head of Miracle Centre in Lubaga, Kayanja wields clout that goes to the very upper echelons of the state. Successful and smart, he has built a massive house on the shore of Lake Victoria in Bunga.

Pastor Gary Skinner: Like Kayanja, Skinner holds clout. When Kampala Pentecostal Church came to life, it was a simple church on Kampala Road. However, KPC now has five branches and a congregation that is bursting at the seams.

Pastor Imelda Namutebi: As head of Liberty Worship Centre, Namutebi is a force to be reckoned with. She has also seen a massive growth in her wealth.

Bishop Cyprian Bamwoze: Owns a large farm in Nakabango in Kamuli District, where he is based after his retirement. He lives a frugal life and drives in a Datsun 1200 pick-up, a mismatch to his wealth.

Old Money Class

THIS is a class of people who made their money back in the 1960s through to the 1970s, and still have the money in 2007. The Old Money Class have large chunks of real estate which has been passed on through generations and rarely do they sell any of it off.

Karmali Mukwano: One of the most reclusive tycoons there is in town. In fact if he were to walk though town, he would get by unrecognised. When it comes to manufacturing he tops the list in that almost every household in Uganda has something that comes from him. His Mukwano Industries manufactures everything from cooking oil to soap to plastics.

The Madhvani Family: The Mahdvanis, under the stewardship of Mayur, have it all. Not only do they have their own private airfield at Kakira, they also own private jets with a full-time British female pilot at the ready all year round. They already had enough money in the bank, not to mention the millions of dollars they made when they sold Nile Breweries to South Africans. It is rumoured that to fly round their estate in Kakira by plane takes a staggering 12 minutes!

The Kasoma Family: The Kasoma family in Luweero are old money. Adudu Kasoma was a coffee trader and the family own large tracts of land and several commercial buildings in Luweero District.

Ben Okiror: The Soroti-based Okiror runs the successful Kakiase Enterprise, which deals in general business, including agricultural produce.

Rose Rohrer: Her late husband, Max, was one of the founders of the successful construction firm, Roko. With his fortune he amassed a considerable chunk of real estate, including homes in the Seychelles and Switzerland.

Rainer Kohler: Has made a fortune through Roko Construction.

The Mehta Family: They are into sugar production from a large estate in Lugazi town, Mukono District. They also own the largest metal fabrication works in the country.

John Ssebaana Kizito: Property magnate with several buildings in Kampala, including Sure House on Bombo Road. Ssebaana also owns swathes of land in Kampala and Kyaggwe in Mukono District. He is also the majority shareholder in Statewide Insurance Company.

John Kulubya: Firmly old money who owns a large chunk of Kampala's real estate.

Jaberi Bidandi Ssali: It is believed that his tenure as a minister could have obstructed him from growing his wealth, but nevertheless he is still wealthy. In his early days he acquired estates and chunks of land in Kampala, particularly in Nakawa Division. Now he has ventured into money-minting entertainment and recreation at Kiwatule in Kampala.

Gordon Wavamunno: Wavamunno has been around for a while and is a household name in Uganda. Not only does he own one of the finest homes in the land on the shores of Lake Victoria in Munyonyo, he is into real estate, with buildings and land in Mbarara, at the Equator and in Gayaza. He also owns a string of houses behind Uganda Breweries in Luzira and in Ggaba as well. He owns the Mercedes Benz car dealership here and has recently branched out into bottling water. Not only does he own WBS Television, he also has shares in Radio Simba and United Assurance. He also owns expensive antiques, including a coffee table which they say he bought for a staggering $100,000.

Eng. Ezekiel Balaba: He is the brother of finance minister Ezra Suruma and deals in cutting and selling timber. He also has vast tracts of land in Kabale, Kanungu and Rukungiri districts.

The Muliras: They own large tracts of land in Kampala.

James Mulwana: From humble beginnings, Mulwana has steadily built up an empire. Just about every household has one of his plastic products. He owns Nice House of Plastics, Jesa Farms, Uganda Batteries and a flat near Marble Arch in London. He sits on the board of a number of companies. He is soft-spoken and humble and does not show any signs of wealth. He does not even own a car with personalised number plates.

Can. Dr. John Batuma: Batuma is a dairy farmer, a businessman and has estates in Kabale and Kampala. He has well-educated and rich children such as Norman Batuma and Eng. Ivan Mbabazi Batuma, who are consolidating the family riches and status. He is said to have banked money on fixed interest-earning accounts.

Patrick Okumu Ringa: Thrived on the Peugeot franchise as a local agent over 20 years ago. During the boom period, he constructed several houses including a towering storeyed building that has become a landmark in Nebbi town. His wealth still counts in the estates he owns, even though many of them are incomplete.

The Hared Family: They have invested vastly in the petroleum business. The family of Somali origin has several fuel stations throughout Busoga and beyond. The Jinja-based family also runs petrol stations in Tororo.

Cranimer Kaaya: He is the owner of Kaaya Ranch in Butuntumula Sub-county, Luweero District, with an expansive herd of cattle.

Abdulrahman Ahmed and brothers: It is a family of brothers from Yemen who have settled in East Africa for many years now. Based in Arua, they own the oldest surviving Nile Coach bus company which endured hard times when the Lord's Resistance Army rebels burnt several of their buses. Nevertheless, the company is still strong. Ahmed is also a real estate mogul in Arua and Kampala.

The Super Rich Class

THESE are the super-rich of Uganda. They are the people who have made it and are still making it. Not only do they own a string of companies, they own a big chunk of real estate which rakes in enough money to project an impressive balance sheet.

Sikander Lalani: The boss of Roofings Limited has seen revenue jump almost 70%. Exports are up, especially to Juba, the DRC and Rwanda. Recently married to a former Miss Uganda contestant, Sikander lives a lavish life in a plush Kololo house. Work aside, he is only person in Uganda to convince the management of Sheraton Hotel to close down Rhino Pub for the night so that he could have a private party in there. He is set to spend sh53b constructing a steel rolling plant in Namanve.

Joseph Roy: Captain Roy has been in the airline industry for quite a while. He owns Das Air Cargo, Royal Daisy Airline and Daisy House on the way to Entebbe Airport. He is also into ranching and owns a number of commercial properties. The closure of his Africa One airline some years ago did not really dent his fortune.

Sudhir Ruparelia: Not only is Ruparelia into banking with his Crane Bank, he also owns Goldstar Insurance. In addition, he owns a large chunk of real estate which includes Bauman House, Customs House, the former British High Commission on Parliament Avenue and a large chunk of Kisementi. He owns three hotels - Kabira Country Club, Speke Hotel and Speke Resort Munyonyo. Schools aside - Kabira International School and Kampala Parents - he owns Sanyu FM, Rosebud flower farm and a number of other companies.

Abid Alam: While the Alams are recluses, they used to own Gold Trust Bank until they sold it off to dfcu. Not that they needed the money; they are into manufacturing, with interests in steel rolling in Uganda and Kenya.

Bulayimu Muwanga Kibirige aka BMK: He is virtually responsible for the importation of motorcycles into the country. He owns a string of motorcycle shops in Ndeeba and also owns Hotel Africana.

Karim Hirji: He used to be rather flamboyant until he quit motor racing to concentrate on his hotels - Grand Imperial, Botanical Hotel, Imperial Resort Hotel and one which is still under construction next to Serena Hotel. He recently bought a house in Nakasero from Barclays Bank for $1m.

Martin Aliker: He is a shrewd businessman who is firmly into corporate business. Respected by many, he is either a board member or board chairman of a number of companies.

Patrick Bitature: When MTN came to town, people used to mock Bitature for being just a simple man who sold airtime. However, from his first shop at Grand Imperial Hotel, he built up a chain of outlets and has managed to amass himself a fortune.

Bitature owns Simba Telecom and has an interest in National Insurance Corporation. He also owns airtime dealerships in Kenya, Tanzania and Nigeria. His hotel in Kololo, which will be run by the South African-based Protea Group, will be open in time for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.

Charles Mbire:Like Aliker, Mbire is very sharp when it comes to business. Almost everything he lays his hands on turns to gold. It is said that by the time most people wake up for breakfast, Mbire has already signed four lucrative deals and has his eyes on another two. He has interests in MTN, Aggreko and is in the process of commissioning an anti-malaria medicine processing plant in Kabale.

Muhammed Alibhai:He is a recluse who made his money from Tight Security, among other things.

Mohan Kiwanuka: More people know about his wife, Maria Kiwanuka, who heads Radio One. However, the reclusive Mohan controls the mighty Oscar Industries. He has a passion for white shirts and is extremely neat. He also owns a large chunk of real estate in Kololo and other places.

Hassan Basajjabalaba: Despite his financial problems, Hassan B, as people call him, has not gone under. He is into education, hides and skins and hotels.

Aga Sekalala: Hardly ever seen in public, Sekalala has been very successful with his Ugachick venture in Gayaza.

Somani: The name behind Rwenzori Water. They also own Metropole House on Entebbe Road and have an interest in Cineplex.

Amos Nzeeyi: He owns a Pepsi franchise, real estate, the Hot Loaf chain and White Horse Inn in Kabale.

Bob Kabonero: With a virtual monopoly on gambling, he is on a real winning streak.

Godfrey Kirumira: The flamboyant Express FC chairman has landed. His car number plates bear his name and he owns Hotel International in Muyenga, Hotel Havana in Old Kampala and a string of commercial properties overlooking the Old Taxi Park.

Isabirye Mugoya: Said to be in his fifties, Mugoya mostly built up his construction empire in Kenya. He is supposed to own the largest construction fleet in the Great Lakes region and is into real estate.

Elly Karuhanga: Word on the street is that one should never underestimate the honorary consul for the Seychelles. Karuhanga has a passion for the Sheraton Hotel, where perhaps most of his deals go down. In some circles, especially with investors, Karuhanga is known as 'Mr. Fix it'. They say he knows how to open up doors and put you in contact with the right people. He was an instrumental figure regarding the visit to Uganda by the owner of Celtel, and for his services, it is said he was paid a six-figure sum in US dollars. He is a brilliant lawyer and a partner in Kampala Associated Advocates.

Additional reporting by Elizabeth Agiro, George Bita, Nathan Etengu, Raymond Baguma, Darious Magara, Frank Mugabe, Fredrick Kiwanuka, Francis Osujo, Kyetume Kasanga, Eddie Ssejjoba, Ali Mao, Chris Ochowun, Chris Ahimbisibwe and Egesa Hajusu

Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media. (allafrica.com)

Copyright 2007 New Vision (Uganda). Distributed by Allafrica Global Media.

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