President Dr Mohamed Muizzu on Saturday conferred the Order of the Distinguished Rule of Izzuddin (O.D.R.I.), one of the Maldives’ highest national honours, upon renowned entrepreneur Mohamed Moosa (Uhchu) and tourism pioneer Hussain Afeef during the official ceremony marking the country’s 61st Independence Day.
The two recipients were recognised for their decades of service and lasting contributions to the Maldives’ economic development, tourism, infrastructure, healthcare, media and philanthropy.
Mohamed Moosa (Uhchu): Entrepreneur who helped shape modern Maldives
Mohamed Moosa, widely known as Uhchu, was awarded the O.D.R.I. after a lifetime of contributions spanning multiple sectors of the Maldivian economy.
After completing his education at Majeediyya School, Uhchu continued his studies at Jamia Darussalam in Umarabad, India, before gaining technical and industrial experience in Coimbatore. Returning to the Maldives, he built a diversified business empire, applying the skills he had acquired abroad to drive economic development.
Agriculture became one of his signature fields. Through large-scale farming initiatives, he supported local farmers, expanded domestic food production and helped create reliable markets for locally grown produce. He also served on the Government’s Agricultural Advisory Board and received the Green Leaf Award in 1996 for his environmental conservation and tree-planting efforts.
Today, he continues to lead Champa Wholesale, one of the country’s leading food and beverage distributors, while managing extensive agricultural operations on Kaafu Atoll Thun’bafushi and operating industrial facilities and a boatyard.
Uhchu also played a major role in expanding the Maldives’ tourism industry through long-term investments that created employment opportunities and strengthened the national economy.
Beyond tourism, he is recognised as a pioneer of private broadcasting, having established the country’s first private media outlets, DhiFM, DhiFM Plus and DhiTV, helping diversify the Maldivian media landscape.
His contributions extend to national infrastructure and finance. He was involved in the expansion of Addu International Airport, the development of Madivaru Domestic Airport in Lhaviyani Atoll, the establishment of the Maldives Finance and Leasing Company (MFLC) and the Commercial Bank of Maldives (CBM).
In healthcare, Uhchu partnered with other investors to establish Tree Top Hospital, the Maldives’ first tertiary-level hospital, significantly expanding access to specialised medical services.
Through the Ali Fulhu Thuthu Foundation, he has supported scholarships, community development projects and numerous charitable initiatives benefiting people across the Maldives.
Uhchu previously received the Order of the Dignified Rule of the Muleege Dynasty (O.D.R.M.D.) on Independence Day in 2013. His other honours include the Tourism Gold Award presented in 2022 during the 50th anniversary of Maldivian tourism and the Face of South Asia Tourism Award at the South Asian Travel Awards in 2024.
Hussain Afeef: Pioneer of Maldivian tourism
President Muizzu also presented the O.D.R.I. to Hussain Afeef, recognising his outstanding contributions to the tourism industry and national development.
Afeef is regarded as one of the architects of the Maldivian tourism sector, having worked across every level of the industry from resort operations and tour management to executive leadership. His career has helped establish many of the professional standards that underpin the country’s tourism industry today.
He also led one of the industry’s most significant sustainability initiatives. Under his leadership, the world’s first fully solar-powered resort opened on Gasfinolhu in Kaafu Atoll in 2014, marking a milestone in environmentally sustainable tourism.
Afeef has long served the Maldives Association of Tourism Industry (MATI), holding positions including Vice Chairman and Chairman. He currently continues to serve as Chairman, providing strategic leadership to the country’s tourism sector.
Outside tourism, Afeef has contributed to the aviation, banking and healthcare sectors. He played a leading role in the expansion of Addu International Airport, helped establish Tree Top Hospital, including the country’s first fertility clinic, and served as Chairman of the Commercial Bank of Maldives, supporting the growth of financial services for businesses.
Through the Ali Fulhu Thuthu Foundation, Afeef has led numerous corporate social responsibility programmes, including scholarships for students and the development of water supply and sewerage systems on inhabited islands.
His achievements have earned him several national honours over the years, including the Public Service Medal in Tourism in 1989, the Public Service Honour in Tourism in 2004, the title of State Dignitary in 2010, and the Order of the Dignified Rule of the Muleege Dynasty (O.D.R.M.D.) in 2013.
With Saturday’s ceremony, both Uhchu and Afeef joined the distinguished group of Maldivians honoured with the Order of the Distinguished Rule of Izzuddin, recognising their lifelong contributions to the nation’s prosperity and development.
