The 38-unit luxury development will introduce a private-island hospitality experience, combining accommodation, leisure activities, conferencing and solar-powered operations.
KAMPALA — Uganda’s luxury hospitality market is preparing for another addition as businessman Sudhir Ruparelia’s Paradise Island Resort gets ready to welcome visitors in December 2026.
The development, established under the Ruparelia Group’s hospitality business, Speke Group, is located on a private island on Lake Victoria, approximately 20 minutes by speedboat from Speke Resort Munyonyo.
Unlike conventional hotels situated within urban centres, the property has been designed around an island experience, bringing together private accommodation, recreational activities and the natural surroundings of Lake Victoria.
With 38 accommodation units, the resort is targeting a range of visitors, including couples, families, corporate groups and holidaymakers looking for a more secluded destination.
An island destination built around lifestyle
Paradise Island Resort features 10 standard cottages, 11 cliff-hanger cottages, 14 deluxe two-bedroom cottages and three executive villas.
The different accommodation categories are intended to serve guests with varying needs, from individual travellers and couples to families and groups seeking private accommodation.
The development also goes beyond traditional hotel services by incorporating facilities for conferences, corporate retreats, weddings, private celebrations and other social events.
Architect Ivan Martin Kutosi, who participated in the project’s design, said the intention was to develop a destination offering a wider lifestyle experience rather than simply providing rooms for overnight stays.
“The whole idea was to create a lifestyle destination. We conceptualised it with lots of lifestyle activities, but there are also conferencing facilities, retreats, weddings, parties,” he said.
This approach could allow the resort to attract business beyond the conventional holiday market, particularly corporate organisations and individuals seeking private venues for events.
Solar energy gives the resort a sustainability focus
One of the notable features of Paradise Island Resort is its commitment to renewable energy.
The development has been designed to operate using solar power, making clean energy a central part of its hospitality model.
Sheena Ruparelia, a director at the resort, has described the property as a fully solar-powered eco-lodge.
“We are 100 per cent an eco-lodge. The island runs on solar,” she said.
The decision places environmental considerations alongside the resort’s luxury offering, reflecting growing interest in tourism facilities that incorporate renewable energy and responsible environmental practices.
For an island-based destination, energy independence is particularly important because of the logistical challenges associated with supplying utilities to facilities located away from the mainland.
The resort’s approach could also provide an example for other hospitality investors exploring renewable energy solutions for remote tourism developments.
Lake Victoria’s tourism potential
The resort’s location is another important part of its appeal.
Lake Victoria provides opportunities for water-based recreation, nature experiences and leisure travel, giving the development a setting different from conventional city hotels.
Visitors are expected to have access to activities such as boat excursions, fishing and bird watching, while the island’s vegetation, rocky formations and surrounding waters contribute to its natural appeal.
The development adds to efforts to expand Uganda’s tourism products beyond the country’s established wildlife and national park destinations.
While wildlife tourism remains a major attraction, premium lakeside accommodation and private leisure destinations can help diversify the experiences available to visitors.
Expanding the Ruparelia Group’s hospitality portfolio
Paradise Island Resort also represents another investment in the hospitality sector by Sudhir Ruparelia, whose business interests extend across real estate, education, insurance and other industries.
The group’s existing hospitality portfolio includes Speke Resort Munyonyo, Speke Resort Convention Centre, Speke Hotel, Kabira Country Club, Forest Cottages, Dolphin Suites and Speke Apartments.
These establishments serve different segments of the accommodation and events market, ranging from business travellers and conference delegates to leisure guests.
Paradise Island introduces a different proposition by placing private-island accommodation and nature-oriented experiences at the centre of its offering.
Its proximity to Speke Resort Munyonyo also creates an opportunity to complement the group’s existing hospitality operations around Kampala.
A new opportunity for Uganda’s premium tourism market
Uganda continues to explore ways of attracting more international visitors and increasing the value generated by its tourism industry.
Developments such as Paradise Island Resort could contribute to that ambition by expanding the range of premium accommodation and leisure experiences available in the country.
The project also illustrates the role of private investment in developing tourism infrastructure, creating business opportunities and strengthening Uganda’s appeal as a destination for conferences, celebrations and holidays.
However, its long-term contribution will depend on the quality of guest experiences, effective management, environmental responsibility and its ability to attract visitors throughout the year.
With its December 2026 opening approaching, Paradise Island Resort is preparing to introduce a different kind of luxury getaway on Lake Victoria.
For Uganda’s hospitality industry, the development adds another option to the country’s growing portfolio of high-end tourism destinations while drawing attention to the economic potential of the lake and its surrounding environment.