What caused Rajiv's fatal crash

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Rajiv Ruparelia, the Managing Director of Ruparelia Group of Companies, who died in the wee hours of Saturday morning, was killed as a result of high speed and barriers that were set up along the Munyonyo-Entebbe-Expressway.

CCTV footage along the Expressway seen by the New Vision, captured Rajiv’s car at 1:52 am, speeding along the road before he got involved in the fatal accident two minutes later at 1:54 am, according to Police.

According to the Traffic and Safety Directorate spokesperson, Michael Kananura, the Saturday morning crash involved a Nissan GT-R motor vehicle registration number UAT 638L, which was travelling from Kajjansi towards Munyonyo.

Traffic and Safety Directorate Spokesperson, Michael Kananura. (FILE)

Rajiv, son of Sudhir Ruparelia, Uganda's top business mogul, who died aged 35 years, was driving one of his favourite high-powered machines, which many believe he was about to use during his comeback to Motor rallying.

👉Rajiv Ruparelia: A legacy of passion, leadership

The vehicle crashed, overturned, and burst into flames, burning the sole occupant to death.

The wreckage of Rajiv Ruparelia's vehicle, Nissan GT-R, registration number UAT 638L, which overturned killing him due to overspeeding as he was travelling from Kajjansi towards Munyonyo on the express highway. (Courtesy photo by police)

Preliminary investigations indicate that the driver lost control of the vehicle after ramming into concrete barriers placed at the roundabout section of the flyover.

(Courtesy photo by police)

It has emerged that the barriers placed along the road had no clear warnings to motorists plying the road.

"I always use this route when I'm going to Kigo. These barriers, which were removed about 10 days ago, were returned with no clear signage or warning. This was sheer negligence," said a senior government official who chose anonymity.

Andrew Mwenda, a close friend to the bereaved family, confirmed that Rajiv died due to high speed after his vehicle hit the barriers, rolled and burst into flames at Busabala along the Kajjansi-Munyonyo expressway.

“He was driving very fast and was not aware of barriers in the middle of the road section at Busabala. Rajiv, who was not aware of the restrictions, hit at high speed.

The car overturned and flew into the air for about 80 meters and crashed down in a ball of fire. He was completely burnt and he died instantly,” Mwenda said.

Andrew Mwenda (centre), a close friend to Sudhir Ruparelia family and Prof. Lawrence Muganga, the vice chancellor of Victoria University, speaking to the media after the death of Rajiv Ruparelia. (Photo by Eddie Ssejjoba)

Mwenda noted that Rajiv recently returned to Uganda to attend a wedding of a very close friend, Jonathan Butera Bahizi. “He was going to Munyonyo so that he could drive in the convoy with the groom to the church this morning, that is when the accident happened. It was sudden and fatal,” Mwenda stated.

Independent sources have since revealed that on Thursday, the same area recorded two accidents in the night, in what the locals in the area attributed to a lack of warning by the construction firm that placed them there.

David Soita Masinde, a Busabala resident resident noted that, ‘despite the persistent complaints from residents about the hazardous temporary barriers at Busabala junction, the Ministry of Works, now solely responsible for road management after the dissolution of the Uganda National Roads Authority, has failed to address these glaring safety concerns. They have allowed a dangerous situation to persist unchecked. The tragic death of Rajiv at this very junction underscores the ministry’s gross negligence and incompetence in overseeing Uganda’s road infrastructure.”

Patrick Oyullu, a Public Health Specialist, also questioned why the barriers had been placed dangerously at Busabala.

“What was its purpose? Who sanctioned it? Why was it there at that hour, without warning, lightning, or logic?

"A barricade, by its very definition, is meant to protect. To guide. To prevent harm. But in this case, it became the architect of death. And if indeed it was haphazardly placed by a negligent contractor, a lazy construction team, or an unbothered arm of government, then someone must be held accountable. A man is dead. Not from recklessness behind the wheel, but from the recklessness of policy, procedure, or sheer indifference,” he said.

Sudhir Ruparelia (right) and his son, Rajiv Ruparelia. (FILE)

Rajiv Ruparelia with his wife. (File/Titus Kakembo)

The body of the late Rajiv Ruparelia arrives at the Uganda Funeral home in Bukoto. The body will be kept there as the family makes final send-off arrangements. (Photo by Julius Kafuluma)

The car that killed Rajiv

An advert for the GT-R notes that, “GT-R stands for Gran Turismo – Racing. Gran Turismo translates to Grand Touring. The core elements of the GT-R design are for high performance, a luxury experience, and long-distance racing. In other words, they are designed to go fast, go far, and make you feel like a movie star.”

Nissan GT-R is a twin-turbocharged 3.8-litre V6 beast capable of producing up to 565 horsepower and 633 Nm of torque.

It can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 2.9 seconds, and boasts a top speed of over 310 km/h, making it one of the fastest production cars on the road today.

The vehicle is also equipped with advanced all-wheel drive (AWD) and multi-mode adjustable suspension, designed to maintain high levels of grip and stability even at extreme speeds.

Its dual-clutch transmission delivers lightning-fast gear shifts, while the sophisticated Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system helps maintain control in sharp turns or during sudden braking.

But the very attributes that make the GTR an icon of power also mean it demands the highest level of caution from its driver.