Ivan Semwanga was a Ugandan-born South African socialite. He was one of the members of the self-styled Rich Gang group well known in both South Africa and Uganda. The group is based on both humanitarian and philanthropy principles which target the less privileged youths, especially Ugandans living in South Africa. Other key members in the group are his cousin Lawrence, a Ugandan tycoon based in South Africa, and Eddy Kyeyune. The Rich Gang graced several occasions both in Uganda and South Africa. Semwanga invested in numerous educational institutions.

Early life and education

Ivan was born in Nakaliro, Kayunga District. He moved to South Africa for greener pastures, and it is alleged that Ivan worked as a ritualist in a local shrine in South Africa. He was helping rich South Africans to solve their problems by dumping them on the ground and giving them holy water that would wash their problems away. This helped Ivan accumulate his wealth and by the time of his death, he had made a fortune with multimillion Business Empire which included Schools (In South Africa), students’ hostels, and apartments among others. Ivan was christened the ‘modern father of Showbiz’ in Uganda because he gave a new look to the socialite scene. All the current socialites in Uganda learnt the game from Ivan. Ivan married Zari and they have three boys together. In 2011, the couple organised a traditional introduction ceremony which cost over a billion Uganda shillings. A few years later, the couple called it quits after Zari accused Ivan of domestic violence. Zari is currently married to a Tanzanian Musician called Diamond Platnumz.

Achievements

Ivan started the Brooklyn Colleges which have 6 branches spread across Durban, Pretoria and Johannesburg. The colleges specialize in Information Technology, Mining and Policing services among others. In Uganda, Ivan was constructing a hotel on Sir Apollo Kagwa road. He has several houses in Bunga, Munyonyo and Mutungo. A combination of all those projects leaves him with over Shs700m profits per month. Ivan also had two main houses in Sandton and Pretoria.