The late Rajiv Ruparelia cheers up his daughter
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I The Managing Director of the Ruparelia Group, a vast conglomerate with interests in real estate, education, banking, and hospitality, Rajiv Ruparelia, who died at a young age of 35 years, has lived a full life.
Death robed Uganda of this treasure in a glitzily accident after his vehicle collided with temporary pavements installed at the roundabout section of the Busabala Road flyover, along the Munyonyo-Entebbe Expressway in Makindye Ssabagabo, on Saturday morning.
Behind his composed demeanor, Rajiv had a good heart, sharp business sense, and was learning to be better by the day. Someone was well conversant with this side of him, and that was his father- Sudhir. He had all the confidence in him and a young age of 25, he appointed him Managing Director of Uganda’s largest privately owned Conglomerates – the Ruparelia Group.
The Namibian Counsel to Uganda, Godfrey Kirumira (C) join other mourners at a vigil held at Sudhir Ruparelia’s home in Kololo, Kampala
Several leaders and socialites Habari Daily talked to described the late Rajiv Ruparelia as a born leader, reliable business associate and philanthropist.
The only son to Sudhir Ruparelia, Rajiv was also a family man. That’s the reason he leaves behind a 3-year old daughter and wife, Naiya.
To prove how humane he was, he had just hours earlier shared a photo of his young child on social media. This has turned out to be his final message to relatives, family and friends. It has struck a deeply emotional chord among his business associates, and those who never had a close bond with him.
Beyond the boardroom, Rajiv was also a motorsport enthusiast.
He founded the Rajiv Ruparelia Rally Team, which has gone a long way towards reviving competitive rallying in Uganda. A moron on the fast lane, he is known to have combined speed and discipline on the track even when he was behind powerful machines.
Take his Nissan GTR for instance. This vehicle is known to have brute power and cutting-edge technology. Popularly by race enthusiasts as the “Godzilla,” the Nissan GTR is a twin-turbocharged 3.8-litre V6 beast capable of producing up to 565 horsepower and 633 Nm of torque.
It would accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 2.9 seconds, and boasts a top speed of over 310 km/h. This very vehicle and model unfortunately was the one that became his death trap. Being that it used aviation fuel, it would cruise at unprecedented speed rarely known on the tarmac.
A thankful giver
Born on January 2, 1990, Rajiv had grown in his spirit of philanthropy. After earning a degree in Financial Management from Regent’s University in London, he returned to Uganda and took charge of major projects like Speke Apartments, Kingdom Kampala, and Kampala Boulevard.
The Ruparelia Group had utilized his generous heart, and through him, invested in sustainability and community empowerment initiatives through its philanthropic wing, the Ruparelia Foundation. He was deeply involved in initiatives that supported education, healthcare and environmental conservation initiatives.
The late Rajiv in a light moment with his father, Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia
Having returned to Uganda only in 2014 after earning a degree in Financial Management from Regent’s University in London Rajiv leaves behind a nation in mourning.
Body to be cremated
Rajiv’s funeral arrangements are fast taking shape, after the arrival of some of the close family members who reside in India, UK, the United States and Canada.
According to a close family associate, his remains are set to be cremated next week at a place yet to be disclosed by the immediate family.
Cremation is defined as a method of body disposition that serves as an alternative to traditional burial in a coffin or casket. Placed in a cremation container, the remains are incinerated in an industrial furnace (called a cremation chamber or retort) and reduced to basic chemical compounds – gases, ashes, and mineral fragments, known as cremains.
Tributes
Anita Annet Among (Speaker, Parliament of Uganda)
@AnitahAmong
I would like to express my sincere condolences to Mr Sudhir Ruparelia, his family, the staff and management of the Ruparelia Group, as well as friends and the wider business community, upon the tragic passing of Rajiv Ruparelia, the Managing Director of the Ruparelia Group. His untimely death has deprived our country of a young and enterprising mind who made significant contributions to our economy and the employment sector. May God comfort those in mourning and grant his soul eternal rest.
Thomas Tayebwa (Deputy Speaker, Parliament of Uganda)
@Thomas_Tayebwa
It is so disheartening to learn of Rajiv Ruparelia’s death in a fatal accident last night. It is hard to comprehend! He was full of life and loved this country with all his heart. Like his father, he was an accomplished entrepreneur with a big heart for humanity. My condolences to Mr. Sudhir and Mrs. Jyotsna Ruparelia on this painful loss. May you be granted the strength to overcome the grief and pain this death has caused your family.
Hajjat Sharifah Buzeki (ED, KCCA)
@Buzeki_Sharifah
It is with deep sorrow that I have received the news of the passing of Mr. @RajivRuparelia, son of Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia.
Rajiv was a dedicated advocate for youth empowerment, always offering his support to initiatives that aimed to shape a better future for Uganda’s young people. His untimely death leaves a profound void within our community.
I extend my deepest condolences to the Ruparelia family during this incredibly painful time. My thoughts and prayers are with you, and I stand with you in this moment of grief.
Winnie Kiiza (Former MP)
@WinnieKiiza
The Kasese community extends our heartfelt condolences to Sudhir Ruparelia, a son of the soil, for the tragic loss of his son, Rajiv Ruparelia. Rajiv was full of promise and an inspiration to many young entrepreneurs in Kasese and across the nation. He will be deeply missed.
May Rajiv’s soul rest in eternal peace. His contributions to Uganda will not be forgotten.
Dr Lawrence Muganga (Vice Chancellor, Victoria University)
@ReachDrMuganga
It is hard to believe that Mr. Rajiv Ruparelia is gone. I am still trying to come to terms with the news. Life can be painfully unfair sometimes.
To the family of Mr. Sudhir Ruparelia and Mrs. Jyotsna Ruparelia, I cannot begin to imagine the pain you are going through. Please accept my deepest and most heartfelt condolences. My thoughts are with you.
To all his friends, colleagues, loved ones, and everyone who had the privilege of knowing him, I share your grief and stand with you during this time of sorrow.
Rajiv was full of life, vision, and passion. He believed in building a better future and worked tirelessly to uplift others. His kindness, energy, and commitment to excellence touched countless lives, including mine.
May we all find comfort in the memories he left us and the legacy he built.
May Rajiv’s soul rest in eternal peace.
