The cremation of Rajiv Ruparelia, the only son of business magnate Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia, took place today at the Hindu Crematorium in Lugogo, Kampala. The somber ceremony drew close family, friends, dignitaries, and members of the public as Uganda bid farewell to one of its most promising young entrepreneurs.
Mourners gathered in the afternoon for the final rites, with Hindu priests leading prayers according to traditional rituals. The atmosphere turned especially emotional during the final prayers, with the Ruparelia family overwhelmed by grief.
Rajiv, 35, tragically died on Saturday, May 3, in a devastating car crash when his high-speed Nissan GTR collided with pavement barriers at the Busabala Flyover in Wakiso District. The vehicle overturned and caught fire, killing him instantly.
He had been scheduled to serve as a groomsman that very day at the wedding of his close friend and business associate Jonathan Bahizi Buteera, son of retired Deputy Chief Justice Richard Buteera.
In a statement earlier this week, the Ruparelia family described Rajiv’s passing as a profound loss and requested privacy during this difficult time. A vigil has been held at their home in Kololo since the accident.
Rajiv was the Managing Director of the Ruparelia Group, overseeing investments across real estate, hospitality, education, and banking. He was also a passionate motorsport enthusiast and founder of the Rajiv Ruparelia Rally Team, which played a key role in reviving rally racing in Uganda.
The cremation ceremony was attended by several high-profile figures, including former Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi and Speaker of Parliament Anita Among. Friends and well-wishers from all walks of life also gathered to pay their last respects.
His untimely death has ignited a nationwide conversation on road safety and contractor negligence, particularly in connection with the Najjanankumbi–Busabala road project managed by China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC). Eyewitnesses have cited the lack of proper lighting and warning signage as contributing factors to the crash.
As cremation proceedings continued, tributes poured in from across the country—honoring a life marked by vision, energy, and generosity, now tragically cut short.
