Ugandan businessman and rally driver Rajiv Ruparelia died in a car accident on the morning of Saturday, May 3rd, along the Entebbe Expressway. He was 35.
The crash occurred near the Busabala flyover, ending the life of a man widely recognized not only for his motorsport achievements but also for his charitable work and leadership in business.
Rajiv, the only son in the family of prominent businessman Sudhir Ruparelia, was the Managing Director of Victoria University.
Despite being born into immense wealth, he chose a life of service and generosity, earning admiration for his efforts to uplift underprivileged communities and support emerging talent.
Among the many people whose lives Rajiv touched was young rapper Fresh Kid, whose tearful tribute underscored the deep bond they shared.
“Rajiv, you were like a father to me. You gave me everything I needed and my life changed because of you. Now, where will I get another father like you?” he said, visibly heartbroken.
His acts of generosity extended into the rally world. Renowned rally driver Ponsiano Lwakataka revealed how Rajiv regularly supported his fellow drivers.
“Rajiv always filled my tank for every race. He had promised to do the same this time during the Pearl of Africa Rally. Now he’s gone,” he said.
Reynolds Kibira, General Secretary of the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of Uganda, described Rajiv as “a rich man but down to earth, generous beyond measure, too selfless and gave freely, whether it was to the FMU leadership, the drivers, or the fans. We have lost someone irreplaceable.”
Rajiv entered Uganda’s motorsport scene with passion and innovation. In 2019, he introduced the country’s first Volkswagen Proto rally car, and his commitment to the sport earned him a major victory at the 2021 Kabalega Rally. His last competitive race was in the 2022 Kaliro Rally.
While he was known for his success in business and on the racetrack, Rajiv was equally present in slums, orphanages, and classrooms, using his resources to transform lives. His work made him not just admired, but deeply loved.
