Barot Harshad Maganbhai receiving his medal as President Museveni looks on
When Mr. Barot Harshad Maganbhai, the Chairman of Tirupati Development (U) Limited, arrived in Uganda in 1993, he carried little more than hope, grit, and a modest capital of USD 150. More than three decades later, that journey of resilience and enterprise was crowned with national recognition as President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni conferred upon him the Distinguished Order of the Crested Crane (Grand Officer), one of Uganda’s highest honours.
The award was presented on January 26, 2026, during the 40th NRM/A Liberation Day celebrations at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, held under the theme “Tribute to the Patriots Who Ushered in a Fundamental Change.” The honour recognises Mr. Barot’s outstanding contribution to Uganda’s economic development, job creation, and community transformation.
Born on January 3, 1959, in India, Mr. Barot’s early years in Uganda were marked by persistence and humility. He began his entrepreneurial journey as a door-to-door hawker, selling household items while learning the rhythms of Uganda’s markets and communities. What followed was a gradual but determined rise, shaped by discipline, trust, and an unwavering belief in opportunity.
His success, Mr. Barot often notes, was nurtured by the peace, stability, and investor-friendly environment fostered under the NRM Government. Uganda’s post-conflict recovery and economic reforms provided fertile ground for ambition, and he seized it — turning small beginnings into large-scale impact.
A pivotal turning point came in 2006, when Mr. Barot identified a critical development gap: the lack of affordable, eco-friendly infrastructure for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), especially in rural and peri-urban areas. Rather than focusing solely on high-end real estate, he set out to build cost-effective platforms that could empower entrepreneurs, decongest urban centres, and stimulate local economies.
This vision materialised through commercial malls, housing estates, SME business parks, and government infrastructure projects, positioning Mr. Barot as one of Uganda’s leading real estate developers. His flagship Kyebando Business Park, located along the Northern Bypass, has become a national benchmark for SME development. The facility hosts over 200 SMEs and supports more than 2,500 jobs, serving as a practical model of inclusive growth.
Beyond commerce, Mr. Barot’s footprint extends into public service infrastructure. Among his notable contributions is the construction of a Health Centre IV in Adjumani, implemented in partnership with UNHCR, strengthening access to healthcare for host and refugee communities alike.
His work has earned him multiple accolades, including Investor of the Year (UIA) 2009 for innovative real estate development, Investor of the Year 2010 for pioneering Uganda’s first bio-waste medical facility, and awards recognising his exemplary contribution to property development.
Yet, for Mr. Barot, development is incomplete without social responsibility. In line with this philosophy, he founded the LEELA Foundation, formally registered in Uganda in June 2019 after years of informal international operations. The Foundation supports vulnerable communities in Kampala, and the capital city’s surrounding areas, providing monthly food assistance to over 300 elderly people, alongside education sponsorships and empowerment programmes for youth and women.
Through enterprise and philanthropy, Mr. Barot has helped build not only infrastructure but also hope, livelihoods, and dignity. His story reflects the broader promise of Uganda — a country where stability enables opportunity, and where determination can translate into national impact.
As Uganda marked four decades since liberation, the honour bestowed upon Mr. Barot Harshad Maganbhai stood as a reminder that nation-building is not only the work of governments, but also of individuals whose vision and commitment help shape a more prosperous and inclusive future.
Commenting on the achievement and recognition, Mr Barot noted that the award will inspire him to continue supporting initiatives that bring sustainable infrastructure and economic empowerment to Uganda. “Economic progress is meaningful only when it touches people’s lives. I am grateful for the chance to contribute to a more inclusive and prosperous Uganda.”
