Muhammed Hamid, born in 1976 in Sudan, is an Ugandan business magnate and investor who chairs the Aya Group, a conglomerate involved in real estate, food processing, mining, and transport. He moved to Uganda in the late 1980s to join his brother’s commodity trading business before founding Pan Afric Commodities, which would mark the beginning of his entrepreneurial journey.

Hamid expanded his business ventures by acquiring a milling machine from businessman Sudhir Ruparelia and establishing milling operations in Kawempe in 1997. This led to the foundation of Aya Mills, now one of the largest commercial milling operations in East Africa, producing up to 8,500 tonnes of flour monthly.

In 2004, Hamid launched FIFI Transport Uganda Limited, a leading haulage company in East and Central Africa with over 3,000 Mercedes-Benz Actros trucks. His transportation business connects major routes, including the port of Mombasa in Kenya and Southern Sudan.

Hamid’s Aya Group also owns Aya Bakery, the largest commercial bakery in Uganda, and Aya Biscuits, which operates one of the most modern biscuit-making facilities in the country. Expanding his influence further, Hamid established Uganda’s first gold mining facility and continues to lead in the processing of metals from East African nations.

In addition to his Ugandan enterprises, Hamid has extended his business reach internationally. He owns Aya Mohammed Trade, a general merchandise company based in Dubai, which operates across the Middle East and Africa. He also holds a real estate firm in Manhattan, New York, dealing in both residential and commercial properties.

Hamid’s numerous assets in Uganda, including the AYA Estate and Aya Investments (U) Ltd, have cemented his position as one of Uganda’s wealthiest and most influential business figures. Recognized by Forbes as the second richest African under 40 in 2015, after Tanzanian multi-millionaire Mohammed Dewji, Hamid remains a significant force in African entrepreneurship, driven by his diverse ventures and strategic investments.