TLG Group, a Ugandan Premium Property Developer, Donates Borehole and Supplies to Naguru Residents in Memory of Rajiv Ruparelia

TLG Group, a Ugandan premium property developer, has donated a borehole and a wide assortment of scholastic materials, foodstuffs, and footwear to residents of Bank Village in Naguru II Parish, Nakawa Division. The donation was made on the sidelines of the unveiling of The Vista Naguru, the company’s newest luxury residential project, and was dedicated in memory of Rajiv Ruparelia, a co-founder and Director of TLG Group, who tragically passed away in May 2025.

This act of generosity honours Rajiv’s enduring legacy of philanthropy and directly addresses the chronic water access challenges faced by low-income urban communities in Kampala.

“As the TLG Group, we have donated this in memory of our brother, Rajiv Ruparelia, and we will continue to do things like this in the community,” said Sheena Ruparelia, Director at TLG Group and Trustee of the Ruparelia Foundation. “I urge the community to help maintain this important facility so its benefits can be longer-lasting.”

Also present at the handover were members of the Ruparelia family, including Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia, Mrs. Jyostna Ruparelia, and Meera Ruparelia—all Directors of Ruparelia Group and Trustees of the Ruparelia Foundation, where Rajiv served as Managing Director and Trustee. Sheena Ruparelia, who is both a Director at TLG Group and a Trustee of the Foundation, led the ceremony, reinforcing the family’s shared commitment to continuing Rajiv’s vision of community empowerment.

Bringing Clean Water to a Community in Need

The donation of a borehole by TLG Group comes as a timely and transformative solution to a growing public health crisis in many of Kampala’s low-income neighbourhoods. In Bank Village, a densely populated informal settlement in Naguru II Parish, residents—especially women-headed households—face daily struggles accessing clean and affordable water. Most rely on water sold by private vendors, paying as much as UGX 100 per 20-litre jerrycan, which can quickly become unsustainable for families earning below the national poverty line.

“This is very important here, because not everyone in the community is able to afford that UGX 100 every day,” said Baker Lagol, LC1 Chairperson of Bank Village.

“There are vulnerable members of this community, especially women, who cannot afford the cost of buying water daily,” added Aciro Florence, LC III Woman Councillor for Naguru II Parish. “This borehole now assures them of accessible, affordable, and safe clean water. Our community, especially women and children, will benefit greatly. We thank the TLG Group for this gesture of kindness.”

Their words highlight a widespread urban challenge. According to a 2023 study by the International Water Association (IWA) published in the Journal of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for Development, 60% of the urban poor in Kampala still rely on unimproved water sources, such as shallow wells, vendor-supplied jerrycans, and uncovered springs. These sources are not only unreliable but also pose serious health risks due to contamination and unsafe storage practices.

Even when households do access water from public taps or kiosks, the safety of the water is often compromised during transport and storage. The IWA study found that 86% of stored water samples in informal settlements were contaminated with E. coli bacteria within 24 hours, mainly due to the reuse of unclean jerrycans and inadequate handling. This contamination significantly increases the risk of waterborne diseases such as typhoid, cholera, and diarrhoea, especially among children under five.

The burden of this water crisis falls disproportionately on women and girls, who often travel long distances and spend several hours a day collecting water, time that could otherwise be spent in school, at work, or in productive household activities. This reinforces cycles of poverty, poor health, and gender inequality. A 2021 report by WaterAid Uganda revealed that households in Kampala’s informal settlements spend up to 22% of their monthly income on water alone—well above the UN-recommended affordability threshold of 3–5%.

For the residents of Bank Village, the borehole donated by TLG Group is therefore more than just a convenient water point—it is a lifeline. It reduces the cost and distance to water, lowers exposure to health risks, and restores dignity, particularly for mothers and school-going children. It is a critical, community-owned infrastructure that improves health, education outcomes, and livelihoods in one of the city’s most underserved zones.

“This borehole ensures that women no longer have to choose between buying water and feeding their families. That is a profound impact,” said Florence Aciro.

Honouring a Legacy of Purposeful Giving

Rajiv Ruparelia, who passed away in May 2025, was widely known for his passion for uplifting others, especially youth, women, and vulnerable communities. Through the Ruparelia Foundation, where he was a Trustee, Rajiv spearheaded initiatives such as:

• The Talent Scholarship Programme, enabling underprivileged students to access quality education
• Support for rising stars like Fresh Kid and Felista in music and talent development
• Youth-focused programmes under the Rajiv Ruparelia Rally Team, which gave a platform to young motorsport enthusiasts
• Community investments in sanitation, water, and health infrastructure
• Expansion of education through scholarships and his involvement with Victoria University as a Council Member

At his funeral, Speaker of Parliament Anita Among described him as “a vibrant, generous leader whose legacy will be felt for generations.” His family, through both the Ruparelia Foundation and affiliated companies like TLG Group, has pledged to honour that legacy through continued acts of philanthropy and community development.

Real Estate with a Human Heart

The philanthropic handover coincided with the commissioning of The Vista Naguru, a 31-unit luxury residential project of apartments for sale by TLG Group. But for the Ruparelia family, development must always come with empathy and impact.

“As we celebrate our newest real estate project, we know Rajiv would have wanted us to also give back—especially here in Naguru, where this community has long been underserved,” Sheena said.

As Kampala continues to urbanise, The Vista stands not just as a symbol of premium living, but of corporate citizenship rooted in compassion. And through initiatives like the borehole, TLG Group is proving that real estate can—and should—be a force for good. 

by Muhereza Kyamutetera

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