Biography
Ivan Semwanga (born 12 December 1977) is a South African socialite and public figure of Ugandan descent.
He is one of the self-proclaimed members of the famous Rich Gang in both South Africa and Uganda. The group operates on humanitarian and charitable principles, targeting underprivileged youth, especially Ugandans living in South Africa.
Other members of the group were his cousin, Lawrence Kiyingi, a Ugandan tycoon based in South Africa, and Eddy Kyeyune.
Rich Gang has made numerous appearances in both Uganda and South Africa. Ivan Semwanga has invested in many educational institutions.
South African Businessman
Ivan Semwanga |
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 Ivan Semwanga: History, Biography, Pictures |
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| Full name: | Ivan Semwanga |
| Born: | December 12, 1977 (age 39) |
| Place of birth: | Tanzania |
| Nationality: | Uganda, South Africa |
| Height: | Do not have |
| Parents: | George Semwanga Pinto Lutaaya, Liize Semwanga |
| Siblings: | Do not have |
| Wife • Husband/wife: | Zari Hassan (married 2011–2013) |
| Girlfriend • Partner: | Do not have |
| The children: | Pinto Semwanga, George Semwanga, Dido Semwanga |
| Job: | Upper class people • Businessmen |
| Net worth: | $1 million – $5 million |
Early life and education
Ivan Semwanga was born in Nakaliro, Kayunga District. He moved to South Africa in search of greener pastures, and it is believed that he worked as an officiant at a local temple in South Africa.
His parents are George Semwanga Pinto Lutaaya and Liize Semwanga.
Ivan Semwanga helped wealthy South Africans solve their problems by throwing them on the ground and giving them holy water to wash away their troubles. This allowed him to accumulate wealth, and by the time of his death, he had amassed a fortune with a multi-million dollar business empire that included schools (in South Africa), student hostels and apartments, among other things.
Ivan Semwanga is hailed as the ‘modern father of Showbiz’ in Uganda for bringing a new look to the upper class. All the upper class people in Uganda today learned the game from Ivan.
Ivan Semwanga is married to Zari Hassan and they have three sons, namely Pinto Semwanga, George Semwanga and Dido Semwanga. In 2011, the couple held a traditional introduction ceremony that cost over one billion Ugandan shillings.
The couple split a few years later after Zari Hassan accused Ivan Semwanga of domestic violence. Zari Hassan is now married to a Tanzanian musician named Diamond Platnumz.
Achievements
Ivan Semwanga founded Brooklyn College, which has six branches spread across Durban, Pretoria and Johannesburg. These colleges specialize in Information Technology, mining and police services. In Uganda,
Ivan Semwanga is building a hotel on Sir Apollo Kaggwa Road. He has several houses in Bunga, Munyonyo and Mutungo.
Combined, all these projects net him over Shs700 million in profits every month. Ivan Semwanga also owns two prime homes in Sandton and Pretoria.
Generosity
Ivan Semwanga was considered the president of Ugandans in South Africa. He helped many poor people in both South Africa and Uganda. Three weeks before his death, he visited the disadvantaged children at M-Lisa orphanage, Nsambya.
During his visit, he donated household items such as bags of rice, sugar, soap, cooking oil and other basic necessities to the orphans. He also donated Shs20,000 to each Ugandan orphan before returning to South Africa where he died.
Ivan Semwanga presented Uganda Cranes with 10 million shillings in cash during the Africa Cup of Nations match between Uganda and Ghana. He also promised to give Uganda 5 million shillings for every goal they scored. Uganda Cranes defeated Ghana within 90 minutes before going into a penalty shootout.
Furthermore, Ivan Semwanga once sponsored the entire expenses of 10 fans from South Africa to travel to Uganda to watch the match between Uganda and Zambia live at the Mandela National Stadium (Namboole).
Cause of death
Ivan Semwanga suffered a heart attack after leaving Uganda. Before leaving South Africa, Ivan Semwanga helped disadvantaged children in Nsambya and later ended up running the Blankets & Wines event with wealthy gang members.
He was admitted to Steve Biko Hospital in Pretoria, where his ex-wife, Zari Hassan, attended to him. He later died on the morning of Thursday, 25 May 2017.
Burial
The body of the deceased Ivan Semwanga was returned to Uganda on 28 May 2017 (Sunday). That night, a prayer service was held at his home in Muyenga, Uganda. His body was then taken to Namirembe Church on 29 May 2017 (Monday) for prayers at the church before being taken to Kayunga for burial.
Ivan Semwanga was buried on 30 May 2017 (Tuesday) at his ancestral home in Kayunga, Uganda. When he was alive, he used to throw parties where he threw South African Rand, Ugandan Shillings and US Dollars to people. The remaining members of Rich’s gang also used the same tactic when burying him.
So instead of throwing handfuls of dust on his grave as is the Christian tradition, members of the Rich Gang threw South African Rand, Ugandan Shillings and US Dollars along with Champagne on Ivan Semwanga’s grave. Concerned citizens; Abey Mgugu and Gideon Tugume took the A-Plus Funeral Management and the Bank of Uganda to the High Court to seek an order to exhume the body of the late Ivan and take away all the banknotes buried with him.
They argued that the money was misused as it was legal tender. Therefore, they wanted it removed and brought back for its intended use. They have consistently stated that the currencies of Uganda and other countries such as South Africa and the United States should be respected and not buried.
In response, the Bank of Uganda wrote a letter stating that they were no longer interested in retrieving the money from the grave as it no longer served its intended purpose. They noted that the money had been mishandled, but was then likely to be soiled, soiled or damaged, and therefore would no longer serve the purpose for which it was intended.
Furthermore, the Bank of Uganda Act was amended as the previous act did not specify penalties for those who did not accept banknotes.
Net worth
Ivan Semwanga’s net worth is estimated to be between $1 million and $5 million.
