(Kampala) –
Rajiv Ruparelia, a prominent Ugandan businessman and the managing director of the Ruparelia Group, was killed in a tragic road accident on Saturday, May 3, 2025. The crash occurred at 1:54 AM at the Busabala Flyover in Makindye-Ssabagabo, Wakiso District, along the Kampala Southern Bypass highway.
The Uganda Police confirmed that Rajiv was driving a white Nissan GTR with registration number UAT 638L when the vehicle crashed into temporary pavements installed at the flyover’s roundabout section. According to Traffic Police Spokesperson SP Michael Kananura, the car lost control after the collision, overturned, and subsequently caught fire.
Police say Rajiv, who was the only occupant of the vehicle, died instantly at the scene due to the impact and the blaze that engulfed the car. The crash site was attended by police firefighters who extinguished the flames, though the car was reduced to wreckage by the time first responders arrived.
Rajiv Ruparelia, 35, was the son of Ugandan billionaire and business mogul Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia. He played a major role in leading the Ruparelia Group, a vast East African conglomerate with interests in banking, real estate, education, insurance, floriculture, broadcasting, hospitality, and tourism.
The car crash comes at a time when Uganda is witnessing an alarming increase in road traffic deaths. Police statistics indicate that road fatalities have surged consistently over the past three years.
| Year | Recorded Fatalities |
|---|---|
| 2022 | 4,534 |
| 2023 | 4,806 |
| 2024 | 5,144 |
This translates to an average of 14 road-related deaths daily, with many involving high-speed incidents on major highways, motorcycles, and pedestrian casualties.
Deputy Police Spokesperson for Kampala Metropolitan, Luke Owoyesigyire, described the crash as a “single fatal accident” and emphasized that investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause. No conclusive statement has yet been made regarding mechanical failure, speeding, or other contributing factors.
Eyewitnesses and videos shared online revealed the extent of the destruction, showing the vehicle consumed in flames and emitting dense smoke. Rajiv had reportedly been driving from Kajjansi toward Munyonyo at the time of the accident.
Just 15 hours before the crash, Rajiv had shared a personal moment on social media—a photograph of his child. The post has since gone viral, drawing emotional reactions from followers and friends across Uganda and beyond.
Rajiv, who returned to Uganda from the United Kingdom in 2014 after earning a degree in Financial Management from Regent’s University London, steadily took on leadership within his family’s empire. By 2017, he was managing director of the Group, spearheading major development projects including Speke Apartments, Kingdom Kampala, and Kampala Boulevard.
In addition to his business achievements, Rajiv was widely recognized for his passion for motorsports. He was an active rally driver and founder of the Rajiv Ruparelia Rally Team, contributing significantly to the revival of rally racing in Uganda.
Rajiv also played an active role in charitable initiatives through the Ruparelia Foundation, which supports health, education, and environmental causes throughout Uganda. His philanthropic efforts and youthful charisma made him a popular figure in both corporate and social circles.
He is survived by his wife Naiya and their children. At the time of publishing, the Ruparelia Group had not yet issued an official statement. However, tributes have flooded in across social media and traditional channels, describing him as visionary, generous, and full of promise.
Close friend and associate Sulaiman Bukenya wrote, “Rest in eternal peace, dear brother Rajiv Ruparelia. May Allah embrace you in warmth and grant you paradise. Until we meet again.”
Police have pledged to provide further updates as investigations continue.
| Vehicle | Estimated Market Value (UGX) | Estimated Market Value (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Nissan GTR (UAT 638L) | UGX 600,000,000 | Approx. $155,000 |
Note: Conversion based on May 3, 2025 exchange rate of UGX 3,870 = USD 1.
This is a developing story. More details will follow as new information becomes available.
