A somber mood covered the Ruparelia residence in Kololo on Tuesday as hundreds of mourners gathered to pay their final respects to Rajiv Ruparelia, the 35-year-old businessman and son of Ugandan billionaire Dr Sudhir Ruparelia, who died tragically in a car accident on May 3.
The funeral procession began at the family’s home in Kololo and proceeded to the Hindu Crematorium in Lugogo, where a cremation ceremony was held at 3:00 p.m.
The event drew high-profile attendees from government, business, sports, and cultural spheres, united in grief over the untimely loss of a man widely regarded as a rising star in Uganda’s business and philanthropic circles.
Dressed in traditional white attire to symbolize peace and purity, mourners wept openly as Rajiv’s legacy was recounted.
Known for his passion for motorsport, philanthropy, and innovation, Rajiv had emerged as a central figure in the operations of the Ruparelia Group, spearheading developments such as Kingdom Kampala Mall, Speke Apartments, and Kampala Boulevard.
Until tragedy struck in the early hours of Saturday morning when Rajiv’s Nissan GTR collided with unmarked construction barriers at the Busabala Flyover along the Entebbe Expressway.
The car overturned and burst into flames at approximately 1:54 a.m. He was en route to serve as a groomsman at the wedding of his close friend, Jonathan Bahizi Buteera.
In a deeply emotional moment, the Ruparelia family invoked the Hindu prayer “Om Shanti” as part of their final farewell, calling for peace for Rajiv’s soul.
Speaking at the cremation ceremony, Dr. Lawrence Muganga, Vice Chancellor of Victoria University, described Rajiv as “a remarkable man with a visionary outlook on the world.”
Rajiv’s influence extended beyond business. As Managing Director of the Ruparelia Group, he expanded the company’s reach across real estate, hospitality, education, and finance. Under his leadership, Victoria University grew from just 900 students to over 10,000, reflecting his transformative vision for education. Through the Ruparelia Foundation, he championed causes including clean water access, education reform, and financial literacy.
He is survived by his wife, Naiya Khagram Ruparelia, and their three-year-old daughter. The family has requested privacy as they navigate this painful time.
