Amirali Karmali
Amirali Karmali | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 1, 1930 Bukandula Village, Gomba District, Uganda |
| Died | July 10, 2019 (aged 89) Kololo, Kampala, Uganda |
| Other names | Mukwano |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, industrialist, businessman |
| Known for | Founder, owner and CEO of Mukwano Group of Companies |
Amirali Karmali (widely known as Mukwano) (1 January 1930 – 10 July 2019) was a prominent Ugandan entrepreneur, industrialist, and businessman. He served as the founder, owner, and CEO of the Mukwano Group of Companies, a multifaceted conglomerate engaged in sectors such as banking, real estate, plastics manufacturing, agro-processing, logistics, transportation, and fast-moving consumer goods. At the time of his passing, he ranked among the wealthiest individuals in Uganda.
Background
Born circa 1930 in Bukandula Village, Gomba District, Uganda, Amirali Karmali was the son of Ali Mohamed Karmali, who had migrated to East Africa in 1904. Ali Mohamed established a thriving enterprise by purchasing cotton and coffee from local farmers while retailing household products and agricultural equipment. Known affectionately as "Mukwano gwa Bangi" (Friend of Many) due to his amicable personality, the family later relocated to Fort Portal. There, Amirali acquired a used truck to facilitate the transport of farm produce to Kampala. Eventually, he settled in Kampala, Uganda’s capital city.
Mukwano Group of Companies
Following the 1972 expulsion of Asians from Uganda, Amirali Karmali chose to remain and went on to establish Mukwano Industries Limited in 1986, which became the cornerstone of his business empire. By 2001, the conglomerate had expanded to encompass 46 enterprises and diversified its confectionery products to include chewing gum, lollipops, and chocolate. The group's annual pretax revenue was approximated at US$300 million.
Other considerations
In recognition of his significant impact on production and enterprise development, Amirali Karmali was awarded the Order of the Nile (Class One) Medal during Labor Day celebrations in 2011.
Personal life
Amirali Karmali was the father of Alykhan Karmali and photographer Roshan Karmali. He died at his residence in Kololo, Kampala, on 10 July 2019 at the age of 89. His burial took place at Archer Road Cemetery in Kololo on 13 July 2019.
External links
- Mukwano: From A Shopkeeper In 1980s To Regional Investor As of 12 July 2019.