As my trading business thrived, I opted to venture into a more sophisticated business and real estate was a natural fit for me. This prompted me to opt for import substitution through setting up agro-processing and value-addition plants as the only way to correct the revenue imbalance given the fact that it is the only realistic way forward towards actual prosperity for our young nation, while at the same time giving Ugandans a chance to become productive and direct participants. The firms exports operations are also noteworthy, with Ham International Express Logistics providing an efficient delivery service across Africa and Europe. He also wanted to ensure that the stadium was able to handle the needs of multiple sports, so he decided to lay several courts and tracks on the main field. [16], In 2015, President Museveni directed Kiggundu to redevelop and upgrade Nakivubo Stadium into a modern state of the art sports facility with larger capacity. Sudhir has maintained his Forbes net worth of USD 1.2 billion. Sudhir got a setback with Bank of Uganda grabbed his Crane bank from him and later Covid19 affected his massive investments in the hospitality, education, and flower sectors. His expansion in other sectors such as real estate have resulted in apartments and shopping malls being built across East Africa. He has over 17 companies under his Ruparelia Group with interests in hospitality, real estate, finance, media, insurance, education, agriculture, labour export among others. Kiggundu was not done yet, however. So, Ham Towers was the first building in our portfolio and our flagship property. [22][23][24], In February 2020, Kiggundu sued Africa's Diamond Trust Bank for allegedly defrauding him for over US$30million (USh34.29billion and US$23.4million) under what he called "unclear debits" from his bank accounts over a spread period of ten years. Because of these, I was able to easily secure financing with the banks because I had reasonable collateral. Hamis Kiggundu is one of the wealthiest people in Uganda as of 2023 and is supposed to have an estimated net worth of $1 billion. Moreover, expansion beyond East Africa brought the enterprise to Europe, India, and other countries all over the world. How are these projects coming along? Together, they worked tirelessly to restore the stadium to its former glory. According to Forbes, he has a net worth of $900 million. [11], He attended his elementary education in Masaka, joined Kabojja International School in Kampala District for his high school education,[12][13][10] and later graduated from Makerere University with a Bachelors of Laws. He became a distributor of commodities in Uganda, Sudan, DRC, Tanzania and Kenya. [7], He is one of the wealthiest people in Uganda with an estimated net worth of US$971 Million (March 2021 Forbes). [32] DTB Bank later appealed the decision in the High Court and were issued an injunction halting payment of the monies. I always help where and wherever I can since my individual personal survival is only limited to a very narrow scope of basic needs. He has been listed among the most generous Ugandans and Africans on the Caxton magazine list. [8], In June 2018 Kiggundu wrote Success and Failure Based on Reason and Reality which advises on financial success and the need to have a sense of purpose. In April 2021, Forbes Magazine Valued his net worth at US$870 million. With over a decade of experience creating impactful narratives about Africa, Mfonobong Nsehe is one of the most recognized journalism and communications professionals on the continent. This remarkable achievement has seen the firm expand from a small garment trading enterprise to a giant industrial group in Uganda with many divisions. He also added several new stands and a modern scoreboard. Its ever-growing list of divisions and operations indicates that the firm is primed to go the extra mile, to continue to provide quality services in both local and international markets. The other properties include a Logistics Company trading as Ham International Express Logistics LLC based in Euless, Texas having various trucks distributing logistics across America. With each successful project, Kiggundu was able to prove himself to banks and secure future financing for more projects. From his humble beginning as a street vendor and makeshift trader of imported items in Uganda, Hamid Kiggundu has risen to become one of the most prominent business minds in the East African Community and Sub-Saharan Africa. The road to wealth for Kiggundu is quite an interesting one. A former Forbes Magazine contributor covering African wealth and entrepreneurship, Mfonobong conceptualized, initiated, and managed for a decade the Forbes annual ranking of Africas richest people. He has over a thousand agro stores in Kisenyi and sources say this is attracting Kikuubo based businesses. 132 ratings17 reviews. . At the time of its inception, the Ham Group was a small trading enterprise trading in garments, ladies bags, and other related textiles. [60], In a bid to transform Uganda and discourage nationals from leaving their motherland in search of a better life, he decided to create what he called Ugandans' desire right at home by setting up Ham Palm Villas, a gated community 500 homes, Villas and Apartments with all required amenities that include: health and shopping facilities, international school , multi-sports complex, among others. Hamis Kiggundu aka Ham is a Ugandan businessman, real estate and property developer, investor, a lawyer by profession, philanthropist and author. The Ham Group, a global trading enterprise and one of the leading logistics and real estate companies in the East African Community, was started in 2005 by young entrepreneur, Francis Kiggundu. The only way to pull Africa out of poverty to prosperity is for us Africans to accept it as our responsibility and obligation. Homepage. Can you tell us about your upbringing in Uganda and how your early years shaped your outlook on business? Thecourt also issued a permanent injunction to prevent DTB from enforcing the mortgages over Kiggundus properties. What was it like building your first commercial property in Kampala, Ham Towers? This is not the first time Hamis Kiggundu appears on this list of the top 10 wealthy Ugandans. From there, it was only natural that he would move on to bigger projects, such as real estate. Drake Lubega owns Qualicel BUS TERMINAL, Totali building, Kikuubo buildings, buildings at Nakivubo blue, and Mini Price buildings among others in Downtown Kampala. On Wednesday, Justice Adonyo ordered Diamond Trust Bank Uganda and Kenya to refund more than 120 Billion Shillings they illegally deducted from two accounts of Kiggundu. I embarked on the reconstruction of the stadium as corporate social responsibility for community development and equally as an example to other Ugandans and Africans that if I can pull off such a huge project with private funding, so can they. Kiggundus donations have made a huge difference in helping to protect and aid Uganda citizens both during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond, and for that he deserves immense praise. Top Best 10 Richest Musicians in Uganda. Unlike billionaires such as Sudhir Ruparelia who spends a lot on social causes in his charity and corporate social responsibility activities, Mr. Muwonge collects a lot of money from his many commercial buildings in Kampalas central business district and focuses on building. The world's premier source of news on Africa's billionaires and UHNWIs. The court additionally ordered the bank to unconditionally release/discharge all mortgages allegedly created over all Kiggundus properties and all corporate and personal guarantees issued by Kiggundu. All Rights Reserved. If the Americans have something so grand over there, we too can have it here. 530M to Buy COVID-19 Vaccines", "Tycoon Hamis Kiggundu donates Shs 530 Million to purchase Covid-19 Vaccine doses", "Big push as city mogul Ham donates UGX.530M to purchase 15000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine", "Hamis Kiggundu vs DTB; DTB Set to Lose Billions in New Application", "Ham wins DTB in Shs120bn fraud case, Bank ordered to refund businessman", "Why Hamis Kiggundu won multi-billion court case against DTB", "Court orders DTB to refund immediately Shs 120bn to Ham", "Principal judge 'rejects' bribe offer in Ham-DTB appeal case", "Hamis Kiggundu announces 'HAMZ CLUB', an Integrated Sports Complex for Uganda's Youth", "Ham Sports Centre seeks engagement with the Kabaka over Kigo land", "Land Registration Commissioner Orders Cancellation of Ham's Titles on Kabaka's Land", "Kabaka-Ham land conflict: Commissioner cancels land titles", "Businessman Ham protests cancellation of his Kigo land titles", "Court orders land commissioner to stop cancelation of Ham's Kigo land titles", "Court stops cancellation of Ham's Kigo land title", "Court halts cancellation of Ham's Kigo land titles", "Hamis Kiggundu: "Accusations That I am Suing Kabaka are FALSE, "Buganda Land Board Officials Resort To Blackmail After Court Halts Cancellation Of Ham's Kigo Land Titles", "Minister Anite hails Ham Agro-Processing Industries for creating jobs", "Tycoon Ham Kiggundu Starts Shs440 bn integrated Agro Processing Plant", "Clever Ugandans like Kiggundu have gone into agro-processing, President Museveni applauds Ham", "Uganda's Finance Minister Kasaija Impressed by Businessman Hamis Kigundu's State-of-the-Art Agro-Processing Plant", "Kasaija lauds Ham Kiggundu for setting up modern food processing unit", "Finance Minister Kasaija Extols Tycoon Ham for Setting Up Modern Integrated Agro-Processing Plants", "Businessman Ham Kiggundu ready to set up own commercial bank after meeting business partners", "Why Has Hamis Kiggundu Built the White House in Uganda? His willingness to donate to the government for the purchase of vaccine doses and to call on other wealthy Ugandans to get involved has demonstrated a profound sense of commitment to the community, and proves the power of generosity in no small way. Haruna Sentongo is another new entrant on the top 10 wealth list. By profession, I am a lawyer, but today Im more of a businessman than a lawyer. Money is only one of the tools of survival. In addition to these projects, Kiggundu opened hospitals and schools and invested in numerous other types of industries such as oil and gas, transport, and banking. However, in Uganda and most African countries, interest rates stand at as high as 25-30 percent. I was born to Mr. Segawa Haruna and Mrs. Nakayiza Jalia on Feb. 10, 1984, and was raised in the small village of Kalungu, Uganda, which is in East Africa. He is currently building Ham Palm Villas a private gated community that will accommodate 500 luxury homes in a swanky location in the city. Hirji is the fifth richest person in Uganda with an estimated net worth of almost $800 million. Why Does Zinc Make Me Nauseous? The project, costing millions of dollars, is funded by Kiggundus company. Kiggundu further underlined his commitment to helping the Ugandan people in July 2021, when he donated USh 530 million to the Government of Uganda to help in the purchase of COVID-19 vaccine doses. A poor society can only pull one downwards, never upwards. Ham Palm Villas, Kiham Enterprises, Kiggs International Ltd and Ham Cinemas are also divisions of the conglomerate, offering a range of professional services in their respective industries. Success and Failure Based on Reason and Reality, "Ham Kiggundu: "I have made money genuinely", "Ham Kiggundu; Uganda's youngest self made billionaire attributes his wealth to loans well-used", "Tycoon Ham drags DTB to court over sh100b", "Ham hosts Muslims ahead of Eid feast Sqoop Get Uganda entertainment news, celebrity gossip, videos and photos", "Big Hearted: Tycoon Hamis Donates over Shs100m To Ministry of Health in the fight Against Corona virus", "OKUTUMBULA EBYOBULIMI: Ham Kiggundu ayanjudde enteekateeka", "Ham Enterprises Limited: Hamis Kiggundu", "Siblings who own a piece of Kampala City", "Hamis Kiggundu: Biography, Family, Wife and Net Worth", "Meet Hamis Kiggundu, the 37-year-old entrepreneur who built a property empire in Uganda", "Islam Is Peaceful, Beautiful, Pure and Absolute. On top of that Sudhir has not stopped his support for charitable works and other social causes. He talks about Islam as "the highest achievement of a lifetime" and that he would not choose another religion. He is one of the wealthiest people in Uganda with an estimated net worth of US$870 Million as of March 2021 according to the Forbes Africa Special Report on Uganda by Penresa. Ham is considered one of the seven richest people in Uganda. This project was dedicated to him in 2015, by the president of the Republic of Uganda, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. Muwonge is an allusive billionaire who is rarely seen in public. By Hamis Kiggundu". Kiggundu began his project by planning out the overall design of the complex. Succesful Legal Battles In February 2020, Hamis Kiggundu dragged Diamond Trust Bank to court over fraud issues. He is one of the wealthiest people in Uganda with an estimated net worth of US$870 Million (March 2021 Forbes). [1] Background [ edit] It was established in 2009 as a private company by owned Hamis Kiggundu also having Majority of the Shares. Education and Early Years. I have always admired the white house as a young man and based on reason, why go to America as a tourist to visit the white house when I hold the means to build a lookalike here at home. In August 2020, Kiggundu petitioned the court after 85 billion Shillings and 34 billion Shillings were illegally deducted by DTB Uganda and DTB Kenya from two accounts of his companies without his knowledge and consent. In your 2018 book, Success and Failure Based on Reason and Reality, you argue that Ugandas educational system is outdated and does not necessarily equip students with the practical tools needed to succeed in life. It was nominated the best book of the year in the category of "Business Motivation" at an event held by the Book Forum of Uganda in Kampala.[1]. After attending local schools in Masaka, Ham joined Kabojja International School in Kampala District for his high school education. [8][9][10], Kiggundu was born and raised in a Muslim family. After all, no man is an island. [25] DTB Bank later appealed the decision in the High Court and were issued an injunction halting payment of the monies. I went to primary school in Masaka and, as a child, I would help my father who was a textile trader in his shop during our school holidays. The outspoken young tycoon is said to be collecting not less than USD1 million a month. [6] This gave me the opportunity to test the entrepreneurial waters. These businessmen have made their wealth by investing in different sectors. In October 2020,Kiggundu won the case and Diamond Trust Bank got instructed to refund all the money Kiggundu lost on his account amounting to 34.29billionincluding 8% interest legal costs by the High Court in Kampala. Then, before moving to Mbarara in Ugandas Western Region, he worked as a store assistant in Jinja. However, real estate remains the backbone still holding his wealthy position. He now boasts of buildings including Giant shopping arcade in Kikuubo, Nakasero complex on Nakivubo road, Mid-city arcade on Nakivubo Road, Mackay Buildings on Old Rashid Kaharmis Road among others. 4.03. The Ugandan business magnate began trading textiles and alcoholic beverages from a store on Luwum Street in Kampala. To further his education, Kiggundu joined Kabojja International School in Kampala District and then went on to earn a Bachelors of Law from Makerere University before graduating with a diploma in legal practice at the Law Development Centre. Meet Ugandan entrepreneur Hamis Kiggundu with a net worth of $870 million, making him richer than football stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. The humble beginnings of Hamid Kiggundu started as a street vendor and makeshift trader in Uganda. The road to wealth for Kiggundu is quite an interesting one. Tell us about that business. Do you have a story or an opinion to share? Bebe Cool - $2.6 million. [35] The court additionally ordered the bank to unconditionally release/discharge all mortgages allegedly created over all Kiggundu's properties and all corporate and personal guarantees issued by Kiggundu. In 2017, the Ugandan government entered into a joint venture with Ham Group to effect major renovations at the stadium, involving an improvement to grounds, increasing seating from 30,000 to 35,000 and constructing retail shops inside the outside walls of the facility. His first major real estate project was Ham Tower opened in the Makerere suburb of Kampala city the same year. [7][non-primary source needed], Kiggundu was born in 1984 in the Kalungu Masaka District in the Central Region of Uganda. Hamis Kiggundu commonly known as Ham,[2][3][4][5] born February 10, 1984 in Masaka, is a Ugandan based international businessman, investor, real estate and property developer, philanthropist,[6] author and lawyer. He has written motivational books: Success and Failure Based on Reality and Reason as the World masterpiece. John Sebalamu is a multiple property owner in Uganda credited with starting the culture of the now mushrooming shopping arcades in the heart of Kampala. Banks are equally driven by a profit motive just like private companies. Businessman, entrepreneur, investor, lawyer, This page was last edited on 18 April 2023, at 08:40. The victims all stated that as they were enduring the inhuman treatment in the During his tenure as PS/ST, Muhakanizi was always opposed to high borrowing rates and Four other officials including Minister Agnes Nandutu (Karamoja) who went into hiding since Friday Daily Express is Uganda's number one source for breaking news, National news, policy analytical stories, e-buzz, sports, and general news. It is one of the largest conglomerates in West Africa with operations in England [2] and the United States. 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