Rajiv Ruparelia: A legacy of passion, leadership

KAMPALA - Shock and heartbreak have gripped Kampala this Saturday morning as news is spreading of the sudden and tragic death of Rajiv Ruparelia.

Just hours before the crash in the wee hours of Saturday, Rajiv, a renowned businessman, had shared a heartfelt photo of his child on social media - a tender moment that has deeply touched and saddened his friends, family, and followers.

According to Uganda Police Deputy Spokesperson for the Kampala Metropolitan Area Luke Owoyesigyire, the car crash that claimed the 35-year-old entrepreneur occurred at approximately 1:54am on May 3, along the Munyonyo-Entebbe-Expressway.

A legacy of leadership and passion

Born on January 2, 1990, Rajiv Ruparelia was the only son of business tycoon Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia.

A graduate in Financial Management from Regent’s University London, Rajiv returned to Uganda in 2014 and quickly ascended within the Ruparelia Group - one of the country's largest privately owned conglomerates.

Appointed Managing Director in 2017, he was instrumental in steering several of the Group’s flagship developments, including Speke Apartments, Kingdom Kampala, and Kampala Boulevard.

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• BREAKING NEWS: Rajiv Ruparelia dies in road accident

Beyond the boardroom, Rajiv was an avid motorsport enthusiast. He founded the Rajiv Ruparelia Rally Team and played a big role in revitalising the rallying sport in Uganda.

His energy, charisma, and drive earned him admiration across the corporate and sporting spheres.

Through the Ruparelia Foundation, Rajiv was also deeply involved in philanthropy, supporting education, health care, and environmental conservation initiatives.

A nation in mourning

Rajiv is survived by his wife, Naiya, and their children. An official statement from the Ruparelia Group is yet to be released, but tributes are pouring in from across the country and beyond.

Close friend Sulaiman Bukenya shared a poignant farewell:

“Rest in eternal peace, dear brother Rajiv Ruparelia. May Allah embrace you in warmth and grant you paradise. Until we meet again. I am out of words.”

Uganda has lost not just a dynamic businessman, but a visionary and humanitarian whose legacy will live on in the institutions he helped shape and the lives he touched," he stated.

“It was a single fatal crash involving a white Nissan GTR, registration UAT 638l, rammed into a temporary guard rail, overturned and burst into fire near the Busabala flyover in Makindye-Ssabagabo, Wakiso District,” police spokesperson Owoyesigyire confirmed in a release about Rajiv's death.

Mourners flock Sudhir Ruparelia's home to pay respects 

Sudhir Ruparelia's residence in Kololo. (Credit: Eddie Ssejjoba)

Namibian consul to Uganda, Godfrey Kirumira, says the business community will miss Rajiv Ruparelia, who he said has been having a cordial relationship with all business people who have worked with his father, Sudhir Ruparelia. (Credit: Eddie Ssejjoba)

Godfrey Kirumira with Captain Juma Seiko at Sudhir's home in Kololo. (Credit: Eddie Ssejjoba)

Gen. Katumba Wamala, the minister of works and transport.

Evelyn Anite, State Minister of Finance for Investment and Privatisation (c). (Credit: Eddie Ssejjoba)

Patrick Ssenyonjo aka Fresh Kid and Felista Di Superstar. (Credit: Eddie Ssejjoba)

The Katikkiro of Buganda, Charles Peter Mayiga, with the Namibian consul to Uganda, Godfrey Kirumira, after meeting Sudhir Ruparelia who lost his son Rajiv Ruparelia. (Credit: Eddie Ssejjoba)

Hamis Kiggundu paid tribute to Rajiv Ruparelia. (Credit: Eddie Ssejjoba)