Rajiv Ruparelia, the son of Ugandan property tycoon Sudhir Ruparelia, has died in a tragic car accident.
According to Kampala Metropolitan Police Deputy Spokesperson Luke Owoyesigyire, the 35-year-old was killed when his vehicle crashed, overturned, and caught fire at the Busabala flyover in the early hours of Saturday morning.
“On 03/05/2025 at 1:54 am, a white Nissan GTR (UAT 638L) crashed, overturned, and caught fire at the Busabala flyover. We have been informed that the driver was Rajiv Ruparelia (35). He died at the scene,” Owoyesigyire said.
He said that Rajiv was alone in the vehicle and that investigations into the cause of the crash are ongoing.
Videos and images circulating on social media show that the vehicle was completely burnt beyond recognition. Bystanders were seen attempting to approach the wreckage to assist, but the fire had already engulfed the car, making any rescue attempt impossible.
Police noted that Rajiv was driving a high-performance Nissan GTR, one of the rarest cars in Uganda, with a speed capability of up to 380 km/h. Rajiv Ruparelia was the managing director of the Ruparelia Group of Companies and a passionate motorsport enthusiast.
He was the founding driver of the Ruparelia Rally Team and frequently participated in rally competitions. Andrew Mwenda, speaking on behalf of the Ruparelia family, revealed that Rajiv had flown in from London specifically to attend a colleague’s wedding, which was scheduled for Saturday.
He said that at the time of the accident, he had left his home in Kololo for Munyonyo, where he planned to join the wedding convoy in the morning. He added that burial arrangements will be announced once relatives from London and India arrive. The family is deliberating on whether to cremate Rajiv’s body in line with Hindu tradition or bury him according to Ugandan customs.
Andrew Mwenda is the spokesman of the family??? Laughable!!!
Why laugh? Fact be told Andrew Mwenda is close to the Rupalaria family. Him being spokesperson is perfect and streamlined … Revitalise and be positive. Let’s celebrates Rajiv Rupaleria’s Life and respect privancy. Ndugu Uhuru.. a simple question in your family..have your ever been a spokesperson for any event -ranging from being a partcipant, naming a chid, being a god-parent, Mc..iing on Nikah..etc if yes was it known and announced? Be humble and stay in your lane.
It is unfortunate indeed. Questions should be asked who was enjoying driving such a high powered and well mantained vehicle when this gentleman was abroad in the UK? The bloody expensive car is abnormally burnt to shreds as if it was completely made of flamable materials under a petrol fire ball! It seems there was no impact of another vehicle as traffic early in the morning was minimal. Such horrible accidents should wake up this long serving government about the urgency of improving better and reliable mass public transport. In highly developed countries, one sees the rich and poor travelling safely in mass public facilities without getting into such miserable aggravations.
Hello Kabayekka
This is a very critical question of who was driving the car while in Uk
The death of Raj Ruparelia is suspicious! This is why, “He hit a barrier at a high speed. The car overturned and threw in the air for about eight meters,” veteran journalist and close family friend Andrew Mwenda told reporters in Kampala, midmorning Saturday. Mwenda went on, “I think he didn’t know the barrier because he had just recently returned from London. The car crashed down and there was a ball of fire. He and the car were incinerated,” Mwenda narrated.
The question is, how did Mwenda know all these details? How could Mwenda read Rajiv’s mind to the extent of knowing that Rajiv didn’t know about the barrier because he had just recently returned from London? I smell a rat!
Remase, what’s the meaning of the phrase “I think”?
Means you believe
Andrew Mwenda is spokes person for every rich family in Uganda., perhaps even the M7’s ! Intrieguing! Dude is a joker! RIP Rajiv!
Means you believe
This accident occurred when I there and I saw it with my two eyes, coz I had just crossed busabala, because it happened by ,he never expecting the roundabout, he really tried to break
but andrew mwenda since when did u become Sudhir’s household spokesperson??? huh
naye’ba pipo…
Gone too soon!!!
RIP #Rajiv
You are being envious for no reason. Have you heard the Sudhirs complaining? Maybe they authorized him to speak on their behalf during this difficult time when they cannot do it themselves. Try to hide your jealousy.
Baron Hary….How and when Andrew Mwenda became a spokesperson for the Rupaleria family is not the issue and irrelevant.
First of all it’s on record he is a close family friend to the Rupalerias. People are knowing it now because of Rajiv’s demise. Secondly to speak on behalf of a famiy is very private arrangement and it doesn’t call for a public announcement. Respect privacy afterall are they complaining or dismissing his role. RIP Rajiv
Tragic and heartbreaking to any parent, relatives, friends and In-laws!
May his soul be at peace in Nirvana/another life.
Meanwhile, we carefully trudge on this troubled world, among others; being threatened with CASTRATION, DECAPITATION, forced to learn Runyankole and head shaven clean at gunpoint by those who should have been better if they were not born.
Wahurura?
It’s really a sobre, sad & unfortunate moment and nothing can be undone, it’s f@te. May His Soul Rest in Peace…
I don’t understand how the son of the richest Ugandan can move alone at 3 am without any armed escort cars for protection. He should have had at least one lead and one trial vehicle. They didn’t even consider the possibility of his abduction for ransom. Reckless!!!
😁
A Driver does not have to know the road in advance. A driver observes and anticipates. He was experienced but certain things happen in their own way and we have no control over them. May he R.I.P
इस उम्र में उनका चले जाना बेहद ही दुखद समाचार है। भगवान उनकी आत्म को शांति दे ।
I tried relate media reports but never got the conclusion but now through people’s comments I have questions to ask inorder to be convinced
1. How can a rally driver, in a powerful sport car who can spin more 3 times fail to react in an emergency in 3 sec after seeing the roundabout
2. Where’s the story about the car been tempered with went?
3. How comes police investigation does stay true to really on ground
4. Being one of the groomsmen, he should be with the rest of the team at least as early as possible given the fact that he had just flown in
5.was there any saga between sudhir and the government
Etc…