Madhvani Group
Encyclopedia
The Madhvani Group of Companies commonly referred to as the Madhvani Group, is one of the largest conglomerate
s in Uganda
, with a total asset base in excess of US$275 million, as of April 2009. The group has investments in Uganda
, Rwanda
, Southern Sudan, Tanzania
, the Middle East
, India
and North America
.
, then aged 18, arrived in Jinja
. Due to his extraordinary vision, personality and ability, he was able to take a humble trading concern and create a business that would later account for 10% of Uganda's GDP. As his business prospered, Muljibhai was keen to take care of the well-being and welfare of his employees and the community. His workers and their dependents have enjoyed free education, housing and healthcare, many decades before the term "Corporate Social Responsibility" (CSR), was even devised. The Group's businesses are run primarily by Madhvani family members but many of the newer investments are joint ventures with other businesses.
During the 1970s, the Madhvani family was expelled from Uganda by Idi Amin
and their businesses were nationalized and mismanaged to near-extinction. In 1985, the family returned to Uganda and with loans from the World Bank
, the East African Development Bank
and the Uganda Development Bank
, they resurrected and rehabilitated their businesses and started new ones.
(14 May 1894 – 11 July 1958), the founder of the Madhvani Empire.
The foundation awards scholarships to deserving undergraduate and postgraduate university students with limited means to study in Ugandan Universities. One of the Foundation's primary objectives is to maintain and promote scientific and technical education among the people of Uganda. Four Hundred Million Uganda Shillings (approximately US$200,000) is awarded each year under the scholarship program. Emphasis is placed on sponsorship of students in the following fields:
Conglomerate (company)
A conglomerate is a combination of two or more corporations engaged in entirely different businesses that fall under one corporate structure , usually involving a parent company and several subsidiaries. Often, a conglomerate is a multi-industry company...
s in Uganda
Uganda
Uganda , officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. Uganda is also known as the "Pearl of Africa". It is bordered on the east by Kenya, on the north by South Sudan, on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the southwest by Rwanda, and on the south by...
, with a total asset base in excess of US$275 million, as of April 2009. The group has investments in Uganda
Uganda
Uganda , officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. Uganda is also known as the "Pearl of Africa". It is bordered on the east by Kenya, on the north by South Sudan, on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the southwest by Rwanda, and on the south by...
, Rwanda
Rwanda
Rwanda or , officially the Republic of Rwanda , is a country in central and eastern Africa with a population of approximately 11.4 million . Rwanda is located a few degrees south of the Equator, and is bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo...
, Southern Sudan, Tanzania
Tanzania
The United Republic of Tanzania is a country in East Africa bordered by Kenya and Uganda to the north, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west, and Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique to the south. The country's eastern borders lie on the Indian Ocean.Tanzania is a state...
, the Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
and North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
.
History
In 1912, Muljibhai MadhvaniMuljibhai Madhvani
Muljibhai Prabhudas Madhvani , commonly referred to as Muljibhai Madhvani was an Indian-born Ugandan businessman, entrepreneur, industrialist and philanthropist. Born in India, he migrated to Uganda when he was only 14 years old. In 1912, he started his first business in Jinja...
, then aged 18, arrived in Jinja
Jinja, Uganda
Jinja is the largest town in Uganda, Africa. It is the second busiest commercial center in the country, after Kampala, Uganda's capital and only city. Jinja was established in 1907.-Location:...
. Due to his extraordinary vision, personality and ability, he was able to take a humble trading concern and create a business that would later account for 10% of Uganda's GDP. As his business prospered, Muljibhai was keen to take care of the well-being and welfare of his employees and the community. His workers and their dependents have enjoyed free education, housing and healthcare, many decades before the term "Corporate Social Responsibility" (CSR), was even devised. The Group's businesses are run primarily by Madhvani family members but many of the newer investments are joint ventures with other businesses.
During the 1970s, the Madhvani family was expelled from Uganda by Idi Amin
Idi Amin
Idi Amin Dada was a military leader and President of Uganda from 1971 to 1979. Amin joined the British colonial regiment, the King's African Rifles in 1946. Eventually he held the rank of Major General in the post-colonial Ugandan Army and became its Commander before seizing power in the military...
and their businesses were nationalized and mismanaged to near-extinction. In 1985, the family returned to Uganda and with loans from the World Bank
World Bank
The World Bank is an international financial institution that provides loans to developing countries for capital programmes.The World Bank's official goal is the reduction of poverty...
, the East African Development Bank
East African Development Bank
East African Development Bank is a development finance institution with the objective of promoting development in East Africa.-Overview:...
and the Uganda Development Bank
Uganda Development Bank
-Overview:The bank began its operations in 1972. Uganda Development Bank is the first development finance institution established by the Government of Uganda. The main objective of UDB is to promote and finance development in various sectors of the economy with particular emphasis on agriculture,...
, they resurrected and rehabilitated their businesses and started new ones.
Muljibhai Madhvani Foundation
The Muljibhai Madhvani Foundation is a charitable trust that was set up in 1962 on the eve of Uganda's Independence to honor the vision of the late Muljibhai MadhvaniMuljibhai Madhvani
Muljibhai Prabhudas Madhvani , commonly referred to as Muljibhai Madhvani was an Indian-born Ugandan businessman, entrepreneur, industrialist and philanthropist. Born in India, he migrated to Uganda when he was only 14 years old. In 1912, he started his first business in Jinja...
(14 May 1894 – 11 July 1958), the founder of the Madhvani Empire.
The foundation awards scholarships to deserving undergraduate and postgraduate university students with limited means to study in Ugandan Universities. One of the Foundation's primary objectives is to maintain and promote scientific and technical education among the people of Uganda. Four Hundred Million Uganda Shillings (approximately US$200,000) is awarded each year under the scholarship program. Emphasis is placed on sponsorship of students in the following fields:
- AgricultureAgricultureAgriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...
- Sciences
- Information TechnologyInformation technologyInformation technology is the acquisition, processing, storage and dissemination of vocal, pictorial, textual and numerical information by a microelectronics-based combination of computing and telecommunications...
- CommerceCommerceWhile business refers to the value-creating activities of an organization for profit, commerce means the whole system of an economy that constitutes an environment for business. The system includes legal, economic, political, social, cultural, and technological systems that are in operation in any...
and - MedicineMedicineMedicine is the science and art of healing. It encompasses a variety of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness....
Subsidiary companies
The Madhvani Group includes but is not limited to the following companies:- Chobe Safari Lodge - Murchison Falls National ParkMurchison Falls National ParkMurchison Falls National Park is a national park in Uganda. The park lies in north western Uganda, spreading inland from the shore of Lake Albert around the Victoria Nile. It is named for the Murchison Falls waterfall, itself named for a president of the Royal Geographical Society...
, Uganda - Chrysanthemums Uganda Limited - NsangiNsangiNsangi is a town in Central Uganda. It is one of the urban centers in Wakiso District.-Location:The town is situated on the tarmacked, all-weather Kampala - Masaka Highway. Nsangi is located approximately , by road, west of Kampala, Uganda's capital and largest city...
, Wakiso DistrictWakiso DistrictWakiso District is a district in Central Uganda that encircles Kampala, Uganda's capital city. The district is named after the town of Wakiso, where the district headquarters are located.-Location:...
, Uganda - Joint venture with Flower Direct of the NetherlandsNetherlandsThe Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders... - Coleus Crown Limited - JinjaJinja, UgandaJinja is the largest town in Uganda, Africa. It is the second busiest commercial center in the country, after Kampala, Uganda's capital and only city. Jinja was established in 1907.-Location:...
, Uganda - 50/50 Joint Venture with Coleus Packaging (Pty) Ltd. of South AfricaSouth AfricaThe Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans... - Crown Beverages - Kampala, Uganda
- East African Packaging Solutions, NjeruNjeruNjeru is a town in Buikwe District, Central Uganda. It is the largest town in the district.-Location:Njeru is located approximately northeast of Buikwe, where the district headquarters are located. This location is about west of downtown Jinja...
, Uganda - 50/50 Joint Venture with Graphic Systems Limited. - East African Distributors Limited - Furniture & Hardware Merchandising - Kampala, Uganda
- East African Glass Works Limited (EAGWL), KampalaKampalaKampala is the largest city and capital of Uganda. The city is divided into five boroughs that oversee local planning: Kampala Central Division, Kawempe Division, Makindye Division, Nakawa Division and Lubaga Division. The city is coterminous with Kampala District.-History: of Buganda, had chosen...
, Uganda - Excel Construction Company Limited - Jinja, Uganda & JubaJuba, SudanJuba is the capital and largest city of the Republic of South Sudan. It also serves as the capital of Central Equatoria, the smallest of the ten states of South Sudan. The city is situated on the White Nile and functions as the seat and metropolis of Juba County.- Population :In 2005, Juba's...
, Southern Sudan - East African Underwriters Limited, Kampala, Uganda
- Industrial Security Services Limited - Jinja, Uganda
- Kabuye Sugar Works - Kabuye, RwandaRwandaRwanda or , officially the Republic of Rwanda , is a country in central and eastern Africa with a population of approximately 11.4 million . Rwanda is located a few degrees south of the Equator, and is bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo...
- Kajjansi Roses Limited - KajjansiKajjansiKajjansi is a township in Central Uganda. It is one of the urban centers in Wakiso District.-Location:The township is situated on the tarmacked, all-weather Kampala - Entebbe Highway. Kajjansi is located approximately , by road, south of Kampala, Uganda's capital and largest city...
, Wakiso DistrictWakiso DistrictWakiso District is a district in Central Uganda that encircles Kampala, Uganda's capital city. The district is named after the town of Wakiso, where the district headquarters are located.-Location:...
, Uganda - Kakira AirportKakira AirportKakira Airport is an airport in Uganda. It is one of the forty-six airports in the country.-Location:Kakira Airport is located in eastern Uganda, approximately , by air, east of Entebbe International Airport, the country’s largest civilian and military airport.The geographic coordinates of this...
- KakiraKakiraKakira is a town in Eastern Uganda. It is the location of the International headquarters of the Madhvani Group.-Location:Kakira is located in Jinja District, approximately east of downtown Jinja on the highway to Iganga...
, Uganda:. - Kakira Power CompanyKakira Power StationKakira Power Station is a 22 MW bagasse-fired thermal power plant located in the town of Kakira in Jinja District, in Eastern Uganda.-Location:...
- KakiraKakiraKakira is a town in Eastern Uganda. It is the location of the International headquarters of the Madhvani Group.-Location:Kakira is located in Jinja District, approximately east of downtown Jinja on the highway to Iganga...
, Uganda: The owner-operators of Kakira Power StationKakira Power StationKakira Power Station is a 22 MW bagasse-fired thermal power plant located in the town of Kakira in Jinja District, in Eastern Uganda.-Location:... - Kakira Sugar WorksKakira Sugar WorksKakira Sugar Works Limited, often referred to as Kakira Sugar Works , is a leading sugar manufacturer in Uganda.-Overview:Kakira Sugar Works is the largest manufacturer of sugar in Uganda, producing an estimated 165,000 metric tonnes annually, accounting for about 47% of the national output in 2011...
- KakiraKakiraKakira is a town in Eastern Uganda. It is the location of the International headquarters of the Madhvani Group.-Location:Kakira is located in Jinja District, approximately east of downtown Jinja on the highway to Iganga...
, Uganda: The flagship company of the Group - Kakira Sweets & Confectioneries Limited - KakiraKakiraKakira is a town in Eastern Uganda. It is the location of the International headquarters of the Madhvani Group.-Location:Kakira is located in Jinja District, approximately east of downtown Jinja on the highway to Iganga...
, Uganda - Liberty Life Assurance Uganda Limited - KampalaKampalaKampala is the largest city and capital of Uganda. The city is divided into five boroughs that oversee local planning: Kampala Central Division, Kawempe Division, Makindye Division, Nakawa Division and Lubaga Division. The city is coterminous with Kampala District.-History: of Buganda, had chosen...
, Uganda - Madhvani Group Central Purchasing - JinjaJinja, UgandaJinja is the largest town in Uganda, Africa. It is the second busiest commercial center in the country, after Kampala, Uganda's capital and only city. Jinja was established in 1907.-Location:...
, Uganda - Madhvani Group Projects Limited - KampalaKampalaKampala is the largest city and capital of Uganda. The city is divided into five boroughs that oversee local planning: Kampala Central Division, Kawempe Division, Makindye Division, Nakawa Division and Lubaga Division. The city is coterminous with Kampala District.-History: of Buganda, had chosen...
, Uganda - Marasa India Resorts and Hotels - Rajkot, Gujarat, IndiaIndiaIndia , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
- Madhvani Properties Limited - KampalaKampalaKampala is the largest city and capital of Uganda. The city is divided into five boroughs that oversee local planning: Kampala Central Division, Kawempe Division, Makindye Division, Nakawa Division and Lubaga Division. The city is coterminous with Kampala District.-History: of Buganda, had chosen...
, Uganda - Madhvani Soap Factory Limited - KakiraKakiraKakira is a town in Eastern Uganda. It is the location of the International headquarters of the Madhvani Group.-Location:Kakira is located in Jinja District, approximately east of downtown Jinja on the highway to Iganga...
, Uganda - Makepasi Match Limited - Jinja, Uganda
- Marasa Holdings Limited - Kampala, Uganda
- Muljibhai Madhvani & Company LimitedMuljibhai MadhvaniMuljibhai Prabhudas Madhvani , commonly referred to as Muljibhai Madhvani was an Indian-born Ugandan businessman, entrepreneur, industrialist and philanthropist. Born in India, he migrated to Uganda when he was only 14 years old. In 1912, he started his first business in Jinja...
- Jinja, UgandaJinja, UgandaJinja is the largest town in Uganda, Africa. It is the second busiest commercial center in the country, after Kampala, Uganda's capital and only city. Jinja was established in 1907.-Location:... - Muljibhai Madhvani FoundationMuljibhai MadhvaniMuljibhai Prabhudas Madhvani , commonly referred to as Muljibhai Madhvani was an Indian-born Ugandan businessman, entrepreneur, industrialist and philanthropist. Born in India, he migrated to Uganda when he was only 14 years old. In 1912, he started his first business in Jinja...
- Kakira, Uganda - Mwera Tea Estate - Mityana DistrictMityana DistrictMityana District is a district in Central Uganda. The district was created in 2005, by taking the Mityana and Busujju counties from Mubende District...
, Uganda - Mweya Safari Lodge - Queen Elizabeth National ParkQueen Elizabeth National Park-Location:The national park is located in western Uganda, spanning the districts of Kasese, Kamwenge, Bushenyi and Rukungiri. Its location is approximately , by road, southwest of Kampala, Uganda's capital and largest city. The town of Kasese lies just outside the northeastern edge of the park,...
, Uganda - Nakigalala Tea Estate - Wakiso DistrictWakiso DistrictWakiso District is a district in Central Uganda that encircles Kampala, Uganda's capital city. The district is named after the town of Wakiso, where the district headquarters are located.-Location:...
, Uganda - Nilefos Chemie, Rieme, BelgiumBelgiumBelgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
- Nilefos Minerals Limited, TororoTororoTororo is a town in Eastern Uganda. It is the main municipal, administrative and commercial center of Tororo District. The district was named after the town.-Location:...
, Uganda - Paraa Safari LodgeParaa-Location:Paraa is located in Nwoya District, Acholi sub-region, in Northern Uganda. It is located within Murchison Falls National Park, the largest wildlife reserve in Uganda, measuring approximately . This location lies approximately , by road, southeast of Pakwach, on the bank of the Albert...
- Murchison Falls National ParkMurchison Falls National ParkMurchison Falls National Park is a national park in Uganda. The park lies in north western Uganda, spreading inland from the shore of Lake Albert around the Victoria Nile. It is named for the Murchison Falls waterfall, itself named for a president of the Royal Geographical Society...
, Uganda - Premier Safaris Limited - Jinja, Uganda
- Rhodia Phosphates Derivatives (STPP), HuelvaHuelvaHuelva is a city in southwestern Spain, the capital of the province of Huelva in the autonomous region of Andalusia. It is located along the Gulf of Cadiz coast, at the confluence of the Odiel and Tinto rivers. According to the 2010 census, the city has a population of 149,410 inhabitants. The...
, SpainSpainSpain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula... - Software Applications Uganda Limited - Kampala, Uganda
- Steel Corporation of East Africa Limited - Jinja, Uganda
- TPSC Uganda Limited - Aircraft Maintenance - Kakira, Uganda
Prominent family members
The following are some of the prominent members of the Madhvani Family:- Muljibhai MadhvaniMuljibhai MadhvaniMuljibhai Prabhudas Madhvani , commonly referred to as Muljibhai Madhvani was an Indian-born Ugandan businessman, entrepreneur, industrialist and philanthropist. Born in India, he migrated to Uganda when he was only 14 years old. In 1912, he started his first business in Jinja...
(1894 - 1958) - Family Patriarch, Founder of the Madhvani Group - Jayant Madhvani ( - 1971) - Muljibhai's firstborn son. Run the conglomerate after death of his father.
- Manubhai Madhvani (1930 - 2011) - Muljibhai's second son. Run the conglomerate with his elder brother before elder brother died. In 2008, he authored a book Tide of Fortune about the history of AsianAsiaAsia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
s in East AfricaEast AfricaEast Africa or Eastern Africa is the easterly region of the African continent, variably defined by geography or geopolitics. In the UN scheme of geographic regions, 19 territories constitute Eastern Africa:...
, the family business and his own experience. - Surendra Madhvani - Muljibhai's third son.
- Pratap Madhvani - Muljibhai's fourth son.
- Mayur Madhvani - Muljibhai's fifth and youngest son.
- Nitin Madhvani - Jayant's firstborn son and grandson of Muljibhai. First IndiaIndiaIndia , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n to return to UgandaUgandaUganda , officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. Uganda is also known as the "Pearl of Africa". It is bordered on the east by Kenya, on the north by South Sudan, on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the southwest by Rwanda, and on the south by...
after Idi AminIdi AminIdi Amin Dada was a military leader and President of Uganda from 1971 to 1979. Amin joined the British colonial regiment, the King's African Rifles in 1946. Eventually he held the rank of Major General in the post-colonial Ugandan Army and became its Commander before seizing power in the military...
. He successfully negotiated the re-appropriation of the family's assets from the Government. - Amit Madhvani - Jayant's second son and grandson of Muljibhai
- Nimisha Madhvani - Jayant's only daughter. Granddaughter of Muljibhai MadhvaniMuljibhai MadhvaniMuljibhai Prabhudas Madhvani , commonly referred to as Muljibhai Madhvani was an Indian-born Ugandan businessman, entrepreneur, industrialist and philanthropist. Born in India, he migrated to Uganda when he was only 14 years old. In 1912, he started his first business in Jinja...
. Currently, Uganda's High CommissionerHigh CommissionerHigh Commissioner is the title of various high-ranking, special executive positions held by a commission of appointment.The English term is also used to render various equivalent titles in other languages.-Bilateral diplomacy:...
to India - Meena Madhvani - Jayant's widow.
- Mumtaz (actress)Mumtaz (actress)Mumtaz , fondly called Mumu, is a famous Bollywood actress, best remembered for her roles in Tere Mere Sapne and Khilona . Her performance in Khilona got her the Filmfare Best Actress Award, while the film itself won the Filmfare Best Movie Award...
- Mayur's wife.
See also
- JinjaJinja, UgandaJinja is the largest town in Uganda, Africa. It is the second busiest commercial center in the country, after Kampala, Uganda's capital and only city. Jinja was established in 1907.-Location:...
- Jinja DistrictJinja DistrictJinja District is a district in Eastern Uganda. Like most Ugandan districts, it is named after its main municipal and commercial center, Jinja.-Location:...
- Muljibhai MadhvaniMuljibhai MadhvaniMuljibhai Prabhudas Madhvani , commonly referred to as Muljibhai Madhvani was an Indian-born Ugandan businessman, entrepreneur, industrialist and philanthropist. Born in India, he migrated to Uganda when he was only 14 years old. In 1912, he started his first business in Jinja...
- KakiraKakiraKakira is a town in Eastern Uganda. It is the location of the International headquarters of the Madhvani Group.-Location:Kakira is located in Jinja District, approximately east of downtown Jinja on the highway to Iganga...
- Kakira AirportKakira AirportKakira Airport is an airport in Uganda. It is one of the forty-six airports in the country.-Location:Kakira Airport is located in eastern Uganda, approximately , by air, east of Entebbe International Airport, the country’s largest civilian and military airport.The geographic coordinates of this...
- Kakira Sugar WorksKakira Sugar WorksKakira Sugar Works Limited, often referred to as Kakira Sugar Works , is a leading sugar manufacturer in Uganda.-Overview:Kakira Sugar Works is the largest manufacturer of sugar in Uganda, producing an estimated 165,000 metric tonnes annually, accounting for about 47% of the national output in 2011...
- Kakira Power StationKakira Power StationKakira Power Station is a 22 MW bagasse-fired thermal power plant located in the town of Kakira in Jinja District, in Eastern Uganda.-Location:...