By Lwanga Musisi
Uganda’s motorsport fraternity came together on May 3 to commemorate the life of Rajiv Ruparelia, one year after the businessman and rally enthusiast lost his life in a tragic crash.
The remembrance events marked a year since Rajiv—the only son of prominent businessman Sudhir Ruparelia—died in the early hours of May 3, 2025, at the age of 35. He perished when his Nissan GT-R crashed into temporary barriers at the Busabala Flyover on the Kampala–Entebbe Expressway and caught fire. At the time, he served as managing director of the Ruparelia Group, a major East African conglomerate.
To honour his legacy, motorsport enthusiasts organized a series of activities across Kampala. These included a convoy procession through key city routes, a blood donation campaign at Mulago National Referral Hospital, and a candlelight vigil held at Speke Resort Munyonyo.
The procession, coordinated by TT Drags and Drifts UG with support from the Federation of Motorsports Clubs of Uganda, began at RR Pearl Tower One on Yusuf Lule Road—a building named in Rajiv’s memory. Participants then drove along Jinja Road and Entebbe Road, stopping at the Busabala roundabout to lay flowers at the site of the accident before continuing to Munyonyo for a closing vigil and prayers.
Organizers described Rajiv as a figure whose influence extended beyond racing. According to committee chairperson Stuart Kimera, his contributions touched both the motorsport scene and wider communities through humanitarian efforts.
The day’s activities also included a prosthetic limb donation initiative at Mulago’s orthopaedic department, alongside the blood drive—efforts aligned with the ongoing charitable work carried out in his name.
Family members also paid tribute, reflecting on the emotional weight of the loss while expressing gratitude for the continued support they have received over the past year.
Rajiv had been an active participant in Uganda’s motorsport circuit since 2019, competing in several national rally events and founding his own rally team. He also played a leadership role within local motorsport organizations. In recognition of his contribution, a round of the National Rally Championship held in Gulu later that year was dedicated to his memory.
His passing left a notable void both in the business empire he was set to help lead and in the motorsport community he had passionately supported.
