Rajiv Ruparelia, only son of Uganda’s richest man, dies in car crash

Key Points

• Rajiv Ruparelia, only son of Uganda’s richest, Sudhir, dies in a tragic car crash hours before attending a high-profile wedding. 
• The accident occurred on Kampala’s Kajjansi-Munyonyo road, with Rajiv’s Nissan GTR hitting a poorly marked concrete barrier, bursting into flames. 
• Rajiv’s sudden passing leaves Uganda’s business community in mourning, with his legacy as a philanthropist and future leader of Ruparelia Group cut short.

Rajiv Ruparelia, Managing Director of the Ruparelia Group and only son of Ugandan richest man Sudhir Ruparelia, died early Saturday morning in a fatal car accident, just hours before he was scheduled to take part in a high-society wedding in Kampala. 

The 35-year-old businessman was set to serve as a groomsman at the wedding of Jonathan Bahizi Buteera, son of former Deputy Chief Justice Richard Buteera, at All Saints Cathedral. He was one of seven groomsmen preparing to escort the groom in what was expected to be a lavish affair attended by prominent figures from Uganda’s political and business elite.

Sudden fatal crash on Kampala’s Kajjansi-Munyonyo road

Rajiv was driving a high-performance Nissan GTR (registration UAT 638L) along the Kajjansi – Munyonyo Road near the Busabala Flyover junction when the crash occurred. 

According to veteran journalist Andrew Mwenda, who was a close family friend, the car hit a temporary concrete barrier at high speed just after midnight, causing it to overturn and fly into the air before bursting into flames. 

“He hit the barrier at high speed. The car overturned and flew for about eight metres,” Mwenda said. “The vehicle was incinerated instantly. Rajiv and the car were both engulfed in flames.”

Authorities later confirmed the incident as a single-vehicle crash, with investigations ongoing. Traffic police also noted that the barriers, which contributed to the accident, were poorly marked, leading to calls for better road signage and safety measures.

Sudhir Ruparelia’s family in mourning

Rajiv’s passing has deeply affected his family and Uganda’s business community. Sudhir Ruparelia, the chairman and founder of Ruparelia Group, and his wife Jyotsna Ruparelia confirmed their son’s death in a statement on social media, revealing that Rajiv passed away at 2:44 AM. 

The younger Ruparelia is survived by his wife, Naiya Khagram Ruparelia, and a three-year-old daughter. The family expressed their grief and asked for privacy as they prepare for funeral arrangements, which are expected to depend on the arrival of family members from abroad, including those in India, Canada, and the U.S.

Rajiv Ruparelia’s legacy as a business leader

Born in Uganda on January 2, 1990, Rajiv held a degree in Financial Management from Regents College London. Rajiv was widely seen as the future of the Ruparelia Group, a diversified conglomerate that has been pivotal in Uganda’s economic development. 

Sudhir Ruparelia’s empire spans across multiple sectors, including real estate, education, finance, and hospitality, with properties such as Meera Investments owning more than 200 commercial buildings. Rajiv, who took over as Managing Director, was responsible for overseeing operations in real estate, education, and hospitality. 

Rajiv’s vision extended beyond business; he was a committed philanthropist and sports enthusiast. As a board member of the Ruparelia Foundation, he contributed to community welfare, with a special focus on promoting sports in Uganda. His passion for creating jobs was evident in 2016 when he spearheaded the creation of 300 new jobs within the Ruparelia Group, a significant contribution to the country’s employment landscape. 

Sudhir Ruparelia’s impressive wealth and business influence

Sudhir Ruparelia, widely known as East Africa’s first billionaire, has been a towering figure in Uganda’s business scene for more than four decades. Through steady determination and sharp instincts, he helped shape much of the country’s modern business landscape. 

His fortune, valued at around $800 million in 2015, grew from smart investments in real estate, banking, education, and agriculture. Even in 2024, he continued to make bold moves, including the purchase of the landmark Lotis Towers in Kampala — a deal that further strengthened his grip on Uganda’s real estate market. 

But the future of the Ruparelia Group was shaken by the sudden death of his son, Rajiv, who had been groomed to lead the family empire into its next chapter. Deeply committed to Uganda’s growth and development, Rajiv’s passing is a heartbreaking loss — not only for the Ruparelia family, but for an entire nation that had seen him as a symbol of hope and new leadership.