By David Rupiny
The Chairman of Uganda’s Modern Group of Industries, Ashish Monpara, has been named as the Global Leader of 2025 at the 26th edition of the Asian Business and Social Forum held in Dubai for promoting Uganda as a prime investment destination and significantly contributing to industrial growth in Uganda and the East African Community.
The ceremony, at the JW Marriott Marquis Hotel in Business Bay, Dubai, was held under the theme “Celebrating the Spirit of Asia” and spotlighted the strengthening of bilateral trade, investment, and innovation between India, the United Arab Emirates, and the wider GCC region, while also fostering strategic partnerships across Asia, Africa, and the Americas.
Monpara, popularly known as the “King of Sugar” for his strategic investments in sugar and other sectors, was cited for his visionary leadership in growing and transforming Modern Group into one of Uganda’s most renowned industrial conglomerates, expanding into multiple sectors including sugar, alcohol distillation, aluminum profiling, tile manufacturing, and organic fertilizer. His efforts have created a profound impact on job creation, innovation, and sustainable development.
Monpara’s commitment extends beyond business; he has been a key player in creating local opportunities and forging strong partnerships that have boosted economic growth throughout Africa.
The group’s innovative approach is evident in its fully integrated facilities, which produce an impressive 100,000 tonnes of sugar annually, generate their own power and gas, and produce ethanol as a renewable byproduct. This blend of business acumen and sustainability has set a new standard for responsible enterprise.
With ambitious plans to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in new sectors, including pharmaceuticals and steel, Monpara has set a bold vision for the Modern Group and for Uganda’s economic potential on the global stage.
Monpara’s Modern Group of Industries was given the World’s Greatest Brands 2025 award. The group has grown into a powerful conglomerate with a diverse portfolio, including a significant presence in the sugar and tiles industries.
Since 2015, Modern Group has expanded rapidly to encompass 10 diversified companies with investments exceeding 700 million dollars (UGX 2.4 trillion). Empowering dreams and transforming lives, the Group stands tall with over 13,000 direct jobs nurtured across local communities, redefining the Group’s growth story which is deeply rooted in uplifting local communities.
Beyond job creation, the Modern Group commitment helps fuel Uganda’s development as it stands out as one of the country’s top taxpayers, contributing an average of 12.5 billion shillings annually.
The recent acquisition and revitalization of the Kaliro Sugar Factory further solidifies the group’s position as a key player in Uganda’s industrial sector. This strategic move aims to boost local sugar production, create more employment opportunities, and enhance food security.
It is for Modern Group’s remarkable growth, economic contributions, and its role in building a more prosperous and self-reliant Uganda that it was felicitated with the World’s Greatest Brands 2025 award.
About the Forum:
The Asian Business and Social Forum brought together business and social leaders and diplomats from the participating countries and beyond to foster cross-border collaboration, exchange transformative ideas, and recognize excellence in leadership and social impact across continents.
It emphasised the importance of unified action among business, social, and political leaders, and encouraged deeper global collaboration — especially between established economies and emerging markets around the world.
A key highlight of the event was the focus on how nations are actively promoting trade, tourism, and investment as catalysts for shared growth. Business and social leaders from India, the UAE, Africa, and other participating regions shared their forward-looking visions for advancing global enterprise and socio-economic development. They emphasized the urgent need to reshape the global business landscape through cross-border collaborations, joint ventures, and strategic economic partnerships.
The event stood out as a congregation of distinguished entrepreneurs and investors who explored exciting opportunities in the UAE, particularly in sectors such as finance, education, Mergers & Acquisitions Advisory, Healthcare, Agriculture, Technology, and Sustainable Infrastructure. The event also highlighted the UAE’s emergence as a sustainable nation, an appealing tourist destination, and a highly investor-friendly economy.
The glittering event saw the presence of some of the world’s most influential figures, including His Highness Sheikh Al Nuaimi from the Royal family of Ajman, diplomats from Abu Dhabi and Dubai, celebrities from the Emirati cinema, social media influencers, along with esteemed business leaders, investors, and professionals from Asia, the Gulf, Africa, and beyond.
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