A conglomerate is a type of multi-industry company that consists of several different and unrelated business entities that operate in various industries under one corporate group. List of conglomerates in Uganda. A conglomerate usually has a parent company that owns and controls many subsidiaries, which are legally independent but financially and strategically dependent on the parent company. Conglomerates are often large and multinational corporations that have a global presence and a diversified portfolio of products and services. Conglomerates can be formed by merger and acquisitions, spin-offs, or joint ventures.
Conglomerates are common in many countries and sectors, such as media, banking, energy, mining, manufacturing, retail, and transportation. This type of organization aims to achieve economies of scale, market power, risk diversification, and financial synergy. However, they also face challenges such as complexity, bureaucracy, agency problems, and regulation.
The popularity of conglomerates has varied over time and across regions. In the United States, conglomerates became popular in the 1960s as a form of an economic bubble driven by low interest rates and leveraged buyouts. However, many of them collapsed or were broken up in the 1970s and 1980s due to poor performance, accounting scandals, and antitrust laws. In contrast, conglomerates have remained prevalent in Asia, especially in China, India, Japan, and South Korea. These conglomerates often have strong ties with the government and enjoy preferential policies and access to capital.
This is a list of conglomerates in Uganda.
Alam Group
The Alam Group of Companies, commonly referred to as the Alam Group, is a privately owned conglomerate in Uganda. The group has business interests in Uganda, Kenya, and Rwanda.
Sugar & Allied Industries Limited, Steel Rolling Mills Limited, Saimmco Limited, Crocodile Tool Company, Alam Property Limited, Rhino Footwear Limited, Casements Africa Limited, Roofclad Limited, Uganda Oxygas Limited, Kaliro Power Station
Aya Group
The Aya Group of Companies, commonly referred to as the Aya Group, is a business conglomerate based in Uganda.
hotels, flour milling, transportation, international trade, bakery, mining
The Aya Group includes but is not limited to the following companies:
- Aya Bakery Limited – Kampala, Uganda
- Aya Biscuits Limited – Kampala, Uganda
- Aya Foundation Limited – Kampala, Uganda – non-profit charity, helping needy children
- Aya Investments Limited – Kampala Uganda – Owners of Kampala Hilton Hotel – One of the only three 5-star hotels in Uganda
- Aya Mills Limited – Kampala, Uganda
- Fifi Transport Limited – Kampala, Uganda
- Pan Afric Commodities Limited – Kampala, Uganda
- Aya Mining Limited – Kampala, Uganda
- Aya Mohammed Trade Plc. – Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- Aya Property Developers Inc. – New York City
BMK Group
Bulaimu Muwanga Kibirige, (2 October 1953 – 10 September 2021), commonly known as BMK, was a Ugandan businessman, entrepreneur, and hotel owner. According to a 2012 published report, he was one of the wealthiest people in Uganda.
BMK was the chairman and managing director of the BMK Group of companies, whose member businesses include:
1. Hotel Africana Kampala, 2-4 Wampewo Avenue, Kololo Hill, Kampala, Uganda
2. Hotel Africana Moroto, Moroto City, Uganda
3. Hotel Africana Lusaka, Lusaka, Zambia
4. BMK Motorcycles (U) Limited, Nateete, Kampala, Uganda
5. BMK Motorcycles (K) Limited, Nairobi, Kenya
6. BMK Motorcycles (T) Limited, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
7. BMK Motorcycles (R) Limited, Kigali, Rwanda
8. BMK Motorcycles (Z) Limited, Lusaka, Zambia
9. Hotel Africana Forex Bureau 1, 2-4 Wampewo Avenue, Kampala, Uganda
10. Hotel Africana Forex Bureau 2, 16-18 William Street, Kampala, Uganda
11. BMK Construction Leasing Company, Kigali, Rwanda
12. BMK Oil Equipment Company, Kampala, Uganda
DFCU Group
The Development Finance Company of Uganda Group, commonly referred to as the DFCU Group, is a financial services company in Uganda.
The Group is involved in retail banking, consumer lending, mortgage lending, development finance, medium and long-term lease financing as well as commercial real estate investments. DFCU was established in 1964 as a development finance company.
In 2005 DFCU Group comprised the following subsidiaries:
- DFCU Limited
- DFCU Bank Limited
- DFCU Leasing Limited
- Rwenzori Properties Limited
- Nakasero Properties Limited
DFCU Limited is the holding company and it is listed on the Uganda Securities Exchange (USE), under the symbol DFCU.
International Medical Group
International Medical Group (IMG) is a conglomerate of health-related businesses, headquartered in Kampala, Uganda. IMG was founded by Ian Clarke, a physician and businessman born and educated in Northern Ireland but residing in Uganda since 1988. The first company in the group, International Hospital Kampala was established in 1996. The majority of the stock of IMG is owned by Ian Clarke, the founder of the group. Other minority shareholders include a group based in Mauritius and another minority shareholder group based in the Netherlands.
The member companies of IMG include:
- International Hospital Kampala (IHK)
- International Health Sciences University (IHSU)
- IAA Healthcare – medical insurance
- International Medical Foundation (IMF) – the group’s charitable foundation
- International Medical Centres (IMC) – network of private clinics
- International Diagnostic Centre (IDC) – a referral centre
Madhvani Group
The Madhvani Group of Companies commonly referred to as the Madhvani Group, is one of the largest conglomerates in Uganda. The group has investments in Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, the Middle East, India, and North America.
The Madhvani Group includes but is not limited to the following companies:[4]
- Chobe Safari Lodge, Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda
- East African Packaging Solutions, Njeru, Uganda – now sole owner after buying out partner
- East African Distributors Limited – furniture and hardware merchandising, Kampala, Uganda
- East African Glass Works Limited – Defunct
- Excel Construction Limited, Jinja, Uganda and Juba, South Sudan
- East African Underwriters Limited – 51 percent shareholding by Liberty Holdings Limited of South Africa Kampala, Uganda
- Industrial Security Services Limited, Jinja, Uganda
- Kabuye Sugar Works, Kabuye, Rwanda
- Kajjansi Roses Limited, Kajjansi, Wakiso District, Uganda
- Kakira Airport, Kakira, Uganda
- Kakira Power Company, Kakira, Uganda – the owner-operators of Kakira Power Station
- Kakira Sugar Works, Kakira, Uganda – the flagship company of the Group
- Kakira Sugar Works Hospital, Kakira, Uganda
- Silver Back Lodge, Bwindi Forest, Uganda
- Kakira Sweets & Confectioneries Limited, Kakira, Uganda
- Liberty Life Assurance Uganda Limited, Kampala, Uganda
- Madhvani Group Central Purchasing, Jinja, Uganda
- Madhvani Group Projects Limited, Kampala, Uganda
- Madhvani Group Steel Division – Jinja Uganda
- Marasa India Resorts and Hotels, Rajkot, Gujarat, India
- Madhvani Properties Limited, Kampala, Uganda
- Makepasi Match Limited Jinja, Uganda – the largest producers of wax safety matches in Africa
- Marasa Holdings Limited, Kampala, Uganda
- Muljibhai Madhvani Foundation, Kakira, Uganda
- Mwera Tea Estate, Mityana District, Uganda
- Mweya Safari Lodge, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda
- Nakigalala Tea Estate, Wakiso District, Uganda
- Paraa Safari Lodge, Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda
- Premier Safaris Limited, Jinja, Uganda
- Software Applications Uganda Limited, Kampala, Uganda
- Madhvani Group Steel Division, Jinja, Uganda
- TPSC Turbo Prop Service Centre Uganda Limited, Aircraft Maintenance, Kakira, Uganda
- Umabano Hotel – Kigali Rwanda
- Marasa Africa – Holding company for all hotels and safari lodges in Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda.
Mara Group
Mara Corporation is a multi-sector business services company. It operates in the technology, financial services, manufacturing, real estate and agriculture industries.
The company was founded by Ashish J. Thakkar in 1996, and is now active in 24 countries and employs more than 11,000 people. It is headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Mara was founded by Ashish J. Thakkar, in 1996. The company grew into an international multi-sector business, with operations and interests across 24 countries including 22 in Africa. In 2010 Mara Group was selected by the World Economic Forum as a Global Growth Company. The company is active in 22 countries and, through its investments and operations, employs more than 11,000 people.
The Mara Foundation was founded in 2009 and is the company’s social enterprise project. It provides African entrepreneurs with resources for online mentor-ship, business incubation and funding.
Mara Phones
Mara Phones part of the Mara Corporation launched smartphone factories on the African Continent in October 2019. Kigali, Rwanda was the inaugural location for the Mara Phones manufacturing facility and Durban, South Africa opened shortly after.
Mara Phones has launched two models, the Mara X and Mara Z.
Mara Phones Lab
Mara Phones Lab is the technology arm of Mara Phones.
Mas Group
Mas Consults & Associates, information technology, Track 24 Uganda, Transporter Corporation, Animation (Epic Studios), Branding (Blue Magic Inc.)
Address: Bahai Road, Kampala, Uganda
Phone: +256 776 855558
Newton group Uganda
Newton Group is a multimedia publishing, commercial printing, Real Estates,tours & travels and General Trading Group of Companies and Businesses-Globewide Founded by Isaac Newton Bitukirire
Website: https://newtongroup.co.com/
Products
News Papers, Magazines, Adverts, Real Estates,General Construction
Business Consultancy and Many others.
Mukwano Group
The Mukwano Group of Companies, commonly known as the Mukwano Group, is a conglomerate based in Uganda, with operations in other East African countries.
The group was established in 1986, although it did not start operations until 1989. As of October 2016, the group is involved in six main areas of business: (a) manufacturing (b) real estate investments (c) bulk storage & shipment (d) cargo clearing & forwarding (e) agriculture and (f) financial services. Mukwano Group is one of the most active investment groups in Uganda. The group won the coveted Annual Presidential Award of Best Exporter of the Year for 2004. In 2009, its beverages division attained ISO Certification.
The subsidiary companies of the Mukwano Group include but are not limited to the following:
- AK Transporters Uganda Limited; a fully licensed and equipped logistics and transport company with over 200 light, medium and heavy transport trucks.
- Gulf Stream Investments Limited; a bulk liquid-storage terminal within the port area of Mombasa, Kenya. The terminal can store close to 26,000 metric tonnes of vegetable oils, oil derivatives and related chemicals in dedicated tanks.
- Exim Bank (Uganda); a retail commercial bank jointly owned with Exim Bank (Tanzania).[9]
- Lira Maize Factory Limited; located in Lira, Lira District, Northern Uganda.
- Lira Oil Mill Limited; which produces in excess of 25,000 tons of oil annually, from sunflower and cottonseed, since 2007.
- Mukwano Agro Project Limited; which consists of over 17,000 acres (27 sq mi) under cultivation in Masindi District. Crops include maize, soybeans, sunflower, and simsim. Contracts with over 45,000 out-growers whose farm acreage is in the neighborhood of 200,000 acres (310 sq mi).
- Mukwano AK Plastics; which manufactures household and industrial plastic products.
- Mukwano Dar es Salaam Factory; located in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, the factory has manufactured edible oil and soap since 2004.
- Mukwano Industries Limited, a manufacturer of edible oil, soaps, cleaning products, sanitary products, household and industrial plastic products, bottled water and energy drinks.
- Mukwano Sugar Factory; a licensed sugar manufacturer, located in Masindi District, with capacity to process 2,500 metric tonnes of raw sugarcane daily (912,000 tonnes annually).
- Nationwide Properties Limited; a real-estate development company that builds commercial and residential properties. Nationwide is a joint venture between the Mukwano Group and Property Services Limited, a real estate management firm in Uganda.
- Riley Packaging Limited; the largest producer of packaging materials in East Africa, a joint venture between Mukwano Group and Raps Limited, another Ugandan company. The factory, estimated at US$13 million, is located in Mukono on the Kampala-Jinja Highway.
HAM GROUP OF COMPANIES
Ham Group of Companies trades in: Real Estates, Property development, Agro Proccessing, Education, Accommodation, Transportation and multi-national general merchandise company operating major global cities with a number subsidiaries.
Over the years, backed by the success in the real estate sector in Uganda, Ham Enterprises has grown into other sectors and expanded its real estate arm into international markets. The group headquartered at Plot 923 Makerere Hill Road on Ham Towers consists of 5 fully registered entities in 5 different countries: Including
Address: Akright City, Kampala, Uganda
Phone: +256 702 141589
New Vision Group
The Vision Group of Companies, commonly known as the Vision Group, is a multimedia conglomerate in Uganda. It publishes the New Vision (newspaper), an English-language daily newspaper, that appears in print form and online, as well as newspapers and magazines in a variety of Ugandan languages.
The subsidiary companies of the Vision Group include:
- New Vision (newspaper): published in English
- Bukedde newspaper: published in Luganda
- Orumuri newspaper: published in Runyankore/Rukiga (or Runyakitara)
- Etop newspaper: published in Ateso
- Rupiny newspaper: published in Luo
- Premiership magazine: Soccer magazine covering English, African and Ugandan soccer news, published monthly in English.
- City Beat magazine: Entertainment magazine aimed at the affluent 19 to 35 demographic age group, published monthly in English
- Secondary Schools Directory: published annually in English
- Bride & Groom magazine: Bridal magazine, published quarterly in English
- New Vision Printing & Publishing Company Limited: Most newspapers in Uganda, Rwanda and Southern Sudan are printed by Vision Printing.
- Vision Voice FM 94.8, (now X-FM): Based in Kampala. Broadcasts in English, covers a radius of 100 kilometres (62 mi).
- Radio Bukedde FM 100.5: Based in Kampala. Broadcasts in Luganda
- 100.2 Fm Radio West : Based in Mbarara. The dominant radio station in the Western Region of Uganda. Broadcasts in Runyankole/Rukiga, Runyoro/Rutoro and English.
- Radio Rupiny FM 95.7: Based in Gulu. Broadcasts in Luo
- Radio Etop FM 99.4: Based in Soroti. Broadcasts in Ateso
- Arua One FM 88.7: Acquired in Arua during 2012. Broadcasts in Lugbara, Swahili and English.
- Urban Television: Launched in October 2009. Transmits in English
- Bukedde Television (BTV): Launched in October 2009. Transmits in Luganda
- West Television (West TV): Operating in the Western parts of Uganda alongside Radio West. transmits in Runyankole/Rukiga, Runyoro/Rutoro and English.
Ruparelia Group
The Ruparelia Group of Companies, commonly referred to as the Ruparelia Group, is a privately owned conglomerate in Uganda. Sudhir Ruparelia, a wealthy Ugandan businessman, is a shareholder in each of the companies in the Group.
As of May 2021, the companies of the Ruparelia Group included but were not limited to the following:
- Premier Recruitment Limited – Kampala
- Crane Management Services Limited – Kampala
- Delhi Public International School-Naguru, Kampala
- Goldstar Insurance Company Limited – Kampala
- Kabira Country Club – Bukoto, Kampala
- Kampala International School Uganda
- Kampala Parents’ School
- Kampala Speke Hotel – Kampala
- Meera Investments Limited – Kampala
- Munyonyo Commonwealth Resort – Munyonyo
- Premier Roses Limited – Entebbe
- Rosebud Limited – Entebbe
- Sanyu FM 88.2 – Kampala
- Speke Apartments Limited – Kampala
- Speke Resort and Conference Center – Munyonyo, Kampala
- Kampala Tourist Hotel – Kampala
- Victoria University Uganda – Kampala
- Vcon Construction Uganda Limited
- The group owns commercial and real estate interests in Rwanda, South Sudan, the United Kingdom, and the United Arab Emirates.
- Pearl Business Park: In July 2021, the Group announced plans to establish an upscale business park on 18 acres (7 ha) that the group owns in the city of Kampala. The park will include a shopping mall, a five-star hotel and a modern hospital.
Simba Group
Patrick Bitature is a Ugandan businessman, entrepreneur and author. He is believed to be the second wealthiest Ugandan after Sudhir Ruparelia. He is the founder, chairman and Group CEO of the Simba Group of Companies which is primarily based in East Africa. The Simba Group of Companies started in 1998 with the flagship telecom business but has since grown to a conglomerate of East Africa-based companies spanning telecoms, properties, power generation, agro-business, mining, tourism and media. At end 2011 the Group employed over 600 direct staff and – 1500 indirect staff.
He has received several board appointments in various companies, businesses and foundations in Uganda. Most notable among these appointments include Umeme Uganda Limited, Bolloré Logistics Uganda as well as Mulago National Referral Hospital.
In November 2022, he was named entrepreneur of the year at the African tourism leadership forum in Botswana, Gaborone.
While Simba Telecom achieved continuous success in Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania, Patrick chose to continue to follow the entrepreneurial philosophy he had developed at a young age: find a real customer need, take a calculated risk, and deliver the best possible quality of goods and service possible. This entrepreneurial spirit coupled with the understanding that the Group needed to find “new waves” to ride, led Simba Group to make key strategic investments in a number of areas, including property development, power generation, agriculture, micro- finance and media.
Tirupati Development Uganda Limited
Tirupati Group Limited (TGL) is a privately owned real estate development and construction company in Uganda. Tirupati Group Limited provides development funding and also constructs its own buildings.
Wavah Group
Gordon Babala Kasibante Wavamunno, often simply referred to as Gordon Wavamunno (born 16 December 1943), is a Ugandanentrepreneur, businessman, and philanthropist. He is the owner of Spear Motors Uganda—the sole distributor of Mercedes-Benz vehicles in Uganda. He was the director for WBS Television and he is reported to be one of the wealthiest people in Uganda He also served as the honorary consul of Hungary to Uganda
As of September 2013, the following were some of the enterprises owned wholly or in part by Wavamunno. The businesses listed here are sometimes referred to as the Spear Group of Companies or simply the Spear Group.
- Spear Motors Limited – Franchise distributor and dealer in Mercedes Benz, Jeep, Dodge, Chrysler, Fiat and Deutz Fahr brands in Uganda.
- Wavah FM – A private radio station.
- Star Times Digital Satellite Television Service – A digital satellite distributor of television signals in Uganda.
- Spear House – An office building on Jinja Road in Kampala’s central business district.
- Wavah Water Limited – A manufacturer and distributor of drinking mineral water in Uganda.
- GM Tumpeco Limited – A manufacturer and fabricator of steel products, including number plates, traffic road signs, and billboards. Also, furniture, spring mattresses, uniports, wheelbarrows, and truck and bus bodies.
- Fancy Furniture Limited – Importer and distributor of high-end office and household furniture.
- Wavah Books Limited – A publisher of school text books and other writings.
- Nakweero Mixed Farm – A diary, beef, and crop farm in Nakweero, Kira Municipality, Wakiso District.
Mulwana Group
The list of businesses that he owned included the following:
In 1961, at the age of 25, he partnered with Chloride (UK) Plc. to form Associated Battery Manufacturers Limited. Later, that business became Uganda Batteries Limited, a leading battery manufacturer in Uganda. Mulwana took majority control of the business in 1991.
Nice House of Plastics Limited is a company that he established in 1970. It manufactures plastic products, including toothbrushes, chairs, washbasins, jerry cans, and drinking cups.
Jesa Mixed Farm Limited was formed in 1988. It is located near Busunju, approximately 57 kilometres (35 mi), by road, north of Kampala, along the Kampala–Hoima Road.
Nsimbe Estate Limited was founded in 1992, in partnership with a strategic shareholder from Germany. The company grows, processes, and exports cut flowers.
Jesa Farm Dairy was established in 1994. It pasteurizes, processes, and packages milk and manufactures packed milk, butter, yoghurt. and ice cream.
Jesa Investments Limited, a commercial real estate development company, was founded in 2002.
