In the days following Sir Mesach Ssemakula’s concert at Kingdom Kampala on 13 November 2026, a wave of criticism has targeted Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia and the Ruparelia Group. Sections of musicians, paid TikTokers, and bloggers have pushed a narrative blaming the venue owner for the evening’s disorder, with some resorting to racist remarks. Many Ugandans who attended, however, say the real failures lie with the event promoters and their management team. Not a venue owner.
Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia has long supported Uganda’s entertainment and sports sectors, alongside major investments in education, real estate, agriculture, and tourism that have created thousands of jobs. Attendees and observers argue that attempts to pin the concert’s problems on him are an effort to hide organisational shortcomings.
Ticket holders reported a series of basic failures. Deo Kasoma, who paid Shs150,000, said he was forced to pay extra for a chair once inside the venue. Full Figure noted that supporters had paid for more than 300 tables, yet only about five were available. Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo, from the Office of the NRM National Chairman, reportedly paid for seven tables that were supposed to include drinks and executive seating, but ended up on ordinary plastic chairs. Maama Fiina paid cash for five tables that were never reserved for her group.
Clare Namalwa, a Kikuubo businesswoman, described a severe shortage of even basic refreshments such as soda and water. Apollo Ssetumba of Kampala Youth in Business arrived at 7:00 pm, paid for a chair, and then had it taken by another set of bouncers. Security was widely described as inadequate. Peter Mukwaya, a security analyst, said criminal gangs stole phones and handbags inside the venue. Peace Nanono reported that vehicles outside Kingdom Kampala were broken into and vandalised.
Several attendees rejected any link between these problems and Dr. Sudhir. Justine Nakalembe, a teacher, pointed out that the heavy evening downpour was beyond anyone’s control and could not be blamed on the venue owner. Annet Nandikombi said the organising team and some TikTokers spent more time soliciting money from wealthy guests than managing the show. Jamada Katumba described Mesach Ssemakula as fundamentally decent but faulted him for allowing unscrupulous people to take charge—individuals he said were more interested in diverting proceeds than running a professional event.
Not every commentator joined the attacks. A state security operative present praised Mirundi Junior for remaining objective and identifying the organisational roots of the chaos. A senior government official who attended also commended Full Figure for analysing the mess maturely and refusing to be used against Dr. Sudhir. Katongole Hakim, a businessman at Energy Centre, advised that the online campaign is driven by well-known figures who depend on begging and blackmail, and that Dr. Sudhir should simply ignore the noise.
Samuel Matovu, an NRM supporter from Mukono, and Teddy Namukasa, a disappointed fan, both called on the organisers to apologise honestly instead of sponsoring bloggers to shift blame. Said Kamoga, a music teacher, suggested that Mesach Ssemakula sit with experienced industry professionals such as KT Events, Abbey Mukiibi, Haruna Mubiru, Kayemba Solo, and Mathias Walukagga to arrange compensation for guests who paid for tables that never materialised.
In short, the accounts from people who actually paid and attended point to failures in table allocation, seating, catering, and security by the promoters. Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia’s record as an investor who has consistently backed talent and built substantial parts of Kampala’s economy remains intact. Ugandans, many argue, should judge the evidence rather than allow a poorly managed show to be turned into an attack on one of the country’s most consistent private-sector contributors.
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