Ponsiano Ngabirano

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Ponsiano Ngabirano is a Ugandan businessman and entrepreneur. He is the founder, chairman and managing director of Capital Shoppers Supermarkets, a chain of supermarket stores, which he owns. Its stores are based in Kampala, Uganda.[1] In 2012, the New Vision newspaper listed him among the wealthiest individuals in Uganda.[2]

Early life and career

Ngabirano was born in Rukungiri District, in the Western Region of Uganda, circa 1968. In 1997, he and his family established the supermarket chain, which owns and operates four supermarket stores in Kampala, Uganda's capital city. Capital Shoppers Supermarkets is the largest locally owned supermarket chain in the country.[3] The family-owned chain maintains a customer-loyalty program that offers 4 percent rebate on purchases, the highest in the industry in Uganda, as of 2014. In January 2012, Ugandan media reports indicated that the supermarket chain was owned at least in part by Ngabirano.[2]

Businesses and investments

As of August 2026, Ponsiano Ngabirano, together with members of his family maintained full or partial ownership interests in the following enterprises, which we will refer to as the Ngabirano Group.[4]

  • Capital Shoppers[4][5]
  • Kampala Marriott Hotel[4]
  • Large parcels of land in and outside of Kampala.[6]
  • SMS Contruction Company[4]
  • Capital Shoppers Complex, Ntinda[4]

Net worth

According to the New Vision newspaper, in 2012, Ngabirano's net worth was estimated at US$50 million.[2] As of August 2026, his net worth was estimated in excess of US$100 million.[4]

References

  1. 1.New Vision (21 August 2008). "Cardinal Wamala Opens Capital Shoppers". New Vision. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
  2. 2.[2.2][2.3]Michael Kanaabi, and Ssebidde Kiryowa (6 January 2012). "The Deepest Pockets". New Vision. Kampala. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
  3. 3.Julius Businge (13 July 2014). "Uganda: Local Supermarkets Vie for Market Share" (via AllAfrica.com). The Independent (Uganda). Kampala. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
  4. 4.[4.2][4.3][4.4][4.5][4.6]Muhereza Kyamutetera (28 August 2026). "From a Small Kampala Grocery to a 277-Unit Marriott: Who is Ponsiano Ngabirano, the Quiet Billionaire Behind Kampala's Latest World-Class Hotel?". CEO Magazine East Africa. Kampala, Uganda. Retrieved 29 August 2026.
  5. 5.Polly Kamukama and Simon Musasizi (21 December 2011). "Businesses targeting Christmas". The Observer (Uganda). Kampala.
  6. 6.The Independent Uganda (25 March 2009). "Who Owns Naguru- Nakawa Estate Land?". The Independent (Uganda). Kampala. Retrieved 24 June 2020.