Karim Hirji Imperial Hotels view

Karim Hirji is one of Uganda’s wealthiest and most influential entrepreneurs, best known as the owner of the Imperial Hotels Group, a leading hospitality enterprise in the country.

With business interests spanning hospitality, real estate, automotive, finance, and media, Hirji has built a diversified empire that has shaped Uganda’s economic landscape.

Karim Hirji: From racing to empire
Born on 11 November 1950, Hirji first gained public recognition as a champion automobile racing driver in the 1960s and 1970s. He later transitioned to commerce, launching his first venture, Dembe Enterprises, trading textiles and alcoholic beverages in Kampala.

Over time, the business expanded into the Dembe Group of Companies, encompassing automotive dealerships, media outlets, financial services, and recreational ventures.

Imperial Hotels: Uganda luxury hospitality leader
At the core of his empire is the Imperial Hotels Group, which operates six premier properties across Kampala and Entebbe. Notable hotels include Imperial Royale Hotel and Grand Imperial Hotel in Kampala, as well as Imperial Resort Beach Hotel, Imperial Botanical Beach Hotel, and Imperial Golf View Hotel in Entebbe.

These properties have cemented Hirji’s reputation for over two decades as a key driver of Uganda’s tourism and business travel sectors, attracting both leisure tourists and international conferences.

Diversified business ventures and tourism impact
Hirji’s investments have created thousands of jobs and strengthened Uganda’s hospitality and tourism infrastructure. His strategic focus on luxury, service excellence, and event hosting has positioned Uganda as a regional hub for business tourism and high-end hospitality.

Estimated to be worth hundreds of millions of dollars, Karim Hirji remains a central figure in East Africa’s business elite. Despite occasional legal and operational challenges, his legacy as Uganda’s foremost hotelier and industrialist endures, showcasing his resilience, vision, and entrepreneurial excellence.