Rajiv Ruparelia

Rajiv Ruparelia
Rajiv Ruparelia in 2024
Born(1990-01-02)2 January 1990
Kampala, Uganda
Died3 May 2025(2025-05-03) (aged 35)
Makindye-Ssabagabo, Wakiso District, Uganda
Alma materRegent's University London
OccupationsBusinessman, Rally Driver
Years active2010s–2025
EmployerRuparelia Group
Known forManaging Ruparelia GroupUgandan Motorsport
TitleManaging Director, Ruparelia Group
SpouseNaiya Khagram (m. 2017)
Children1 daughter

Rajiv Ruparelia (2 January 1990 – 3 May 2025) was a Ugandan businessman and rally driver.[1] He was a son to Sudhir Ruparelia and served as managing director of the Ruparelia Group, a private conglomerate in Uganda with interests in real estate, education, hospitality, and finance.[2][3][4]

Background and education

Rajiv was born on 2 January 1990 to Jyotsna Ruparelia (mother) and Sudhir Ruparelia (father). He was a younger brother to Sheena and Meera.[3][5]

Rajiv attended Dean Close School in Cheltenham, UK, and graduated from Regent's University London with a Bachelor's in Financial Management.[2][3][4][6]

Business career

Rajiv joined the family-owned Ruparelia Group in the 2010s. In 2017 he was appointed the Group's Managing Director.[7] He oversaw operations in several subsidiaries, including Kampala Parents' School, which listed him as managing director.[8][9]

Motorsport

Rajiv was active in Uganda's motorsport scene. He started to compete in motorsport rallies in 2019 after which he become the patron of the Central Motorsport Club (CMC). He won several local rally events and became recognized in the Ugandan motorsport.[10][11] He used to drive a Volkswagen Polo Proto imported from Poland.[11][12][13]

Results

Event Year Result / Time / Details
Debut - Enduro Autocross Championship, Zion Estates, Ssisa May 2019 2nd place in his first competition rally; time 10:44.[14][15]
Kayunga Autocross, FMU June 2019 1st place, time 05:18.5, driving a VW Polo Proto; second place Ponsiano Lwakataka at 05:22.2.[10][16]
Kapeeka Autocross Rally August 2019 Winner of the Auto Cross Rally in Kapeeka.[13][17]
Kalanga Rally (Kalangala Circuit) 2019 Winner; won all runs.[18]
Mbarara Rally (Rukaari-Lake Mburo Mbarara Rally) 2020? Won Day One of Mbarara Rally; posted fastest times in Day One (13:17.74) with navigator Enock Olinga.[19]
Kabalega Rally (Hoima) October 2021 First National Rally Championship (NRC) event win. Time: approximately 1:45:41. He won six of the seven stages.[20][21][22][23]

Personal life

Rajiv married Naiya Khagram in London in 2017.[24][25][26] The couple had one daughter.[27] He supported philanthropic work through the Ruparelia Foundation and was involved in educational sponsorships and youth support projects including Kampala Parents' School, Kampala International School Uganda, and Delhi Public School International.[9]

Death

On 3 May 2025, Rajiv died in a car accident on the Kampala-Entebbe Expressway near the Busabala flyover, Makindye-Ssabagabo, Wakiso District.[28][29] Police reported that he was driving a Nissan GT-R (Reg. UAT 658H) of which he lost control. It collided with a concrete barrier, overturned, and caught fire, killing him instantly.[30][31][32] He was cremated on 6 May 2025 at the Hindu Crematorium in Lugogo, Kampala. A police report on the accident was delivered to his family in August 2025.[33][34]

References

  1. ^"Police delivers death report of Rajiv Ruparelia". Monitor. 22 August 2025. Retrieved 29 September 2025.
  2. ^ ab"Rajiv Ruparelia: Rising star gone way too soon". Monitor. 4 May 2025. Retrieved 29 September 2025.
  3. ^ abcKyamutetera, Muhereza (16 May 2025). "Rajiv Ruparelia (1990–2025): The Unfinished Legacy of a Young Business General". CEO East Africa. Retrieved 29 September 2025.
  4. ^ abKazooba, Lawrence (4 May 2025). "Why Would Rajiv Ruparelia Be Cremated on Tuesday?". Watchdog Uganda. Retrieved 29 September 2025.
  5. ^Ivan, Mubiru (7 January 2023). "Meet Rajiv Ruparelia: One of Uganda's richest young businessmen, following footsteps of his Billionaire father Sudhir". Watchdog Uganda. Retrieved 29 September 2025.
  6. ^Magazine, CEO East Africa (3 May 2025). "OBITUARY: Rajiv Ruparelia (1990–2025)— A Visionary Business Leader, Philanthropist, Sportsman and Champion of Youth and Education". CEO East Africa. Retrieved 29 September 2025.
  7. ^"Tribute: I am grateful to Rajiv Ruparelia". Monitor. 10 May 2025. Retrieved 29 September 2025.
  8. ^"Managing Director - Kampala Parents' School". Retrieved 29 September 2025.
  9. ^ ab"Victoria University". Victoria University. Retrieved 29 September 2025.
  10. ^ abBaddest, B. B. (23 June 2019). "Rajiv Ruparelia Wins His First Autocross Rally At Kayunga Town Championship". Galaxy FM 100.2. Retrieved 29 September 2025.
  11. ^ abApolot, Catherine (23 June 2019). "FMU Rally: Rajiv Ruparelia back in action today". Watchdog Uganda. Retrieved 29 September 2025.
  12. ^Republic, Matooke (5 May 2019). "Rajiv unveils his "Double Trouble" rally car - Matooke Republic". Retrieved 29 September 2025.
  13. ^ abKatungulu, Amon. "Rajiv Ruparelia wins Kapeeka rally". Nilepost News. Retrieved 29 September 2025.
  14. ^Atwiine, Simon Peter (27 May 2019). "Rajiv Ruparelia comes second in motor rally debut". Eagle Online. Retrieved 12 October 2025.
  15. ^BusinessFocus, BusinessFocus (26 May 2019). "Motorsport: Rajiv Comes 2nd In Debut Rally » Business Focus". Business Focus. Retrieved 12 October 2025.{{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  16. ^Atwiine, Simon Peter (24 June 2019). "Motorsport: Rajiv Ruparelia wins rally on second outing". Eagle Online. Retrieved 29 September 2025.
  17. ^Atwiine, Simon Peter (19 August 2019). "Rajiv wins Mosac Autocross Championship in Kapeeka". Eagle Online. Retrieved 12 October 2025.
  18. ^watchdog (26 October 2019). "Rajiv Ruparelia wins Kalangala motor rally". Watchdog Uganda. Retrieved 12 October 2025.
  19. ^Apolot, Catherine (16 February 2020). "Rajiv Ruparelia emerges victorious on Day One of Mbarara Rally". Watchdog Uganda. Retrieved 12 October 2025.
  20. ^Republic, Matooke (24 October 2021). "Rajiv comes top in Kabalega Rally - Matooke Republic". Retrieved 12 October 2025.
  21. ^"Rajiv comes of age". Monitor. 26 October 2021. Retrieved 12 October 2025.
  22. ^Reporter, Our (24 October 2021). "HOIMA: Rajiv wins Kabalega Rally". Eagle Online. Retrieved 12 October 2025.
  23. ^Reporter, Our (24 October 2021). "Rajiv wins 2021 Kabalega rally championship". Eagle Online. Retrieved 12 October 2025.
  24. ^chimplyf (20 August 2018). "Rajiv Ruparelia Turns Marriage Counsellor". ChimpReports. Retrieved 29 September 2025.
  25. ^Republic, Matooke (24 August 2017). "Sudhir son Rajiv's bride Naiya is UK tycoon's daughter - Matooke Republic". Retrieved 29 September 2025.
  26. ^Mwebaze, Isaiah (24 August 2017). "Sudhir's son Rajiv marries in a lavish wedding". Eagle Online. Retrieved 29 September 2025.
  27. ^Reporter, NewVision (9 April 2022). "Rajiv Ruparelia, wife welcome baby girl". New Vision. Retrieved 29 September 2025.
  28. ^Admin (4 May 2025). "Ruparelia family asks for privacy ahead of son Rajiv's cremation". New Vision. Retrieved 29 September 2025.
  29. ^Asiteza, Remmy (3 May 2025). "Rajiv Ruparelia to be cremated on Tuesday, Family confirms". Daily Express. Retrieved 29 September 2025.
  30. ^Independent, The (5 May 2025). "The legacy of Rajiv Ruparelia". The Independent Uganda. Retrieved 29 September 2025.
  31. ^Etukuri, Charles (3 May 2025). "What caused Rajiv's fatal crash". New Vision. Retrieved 29 September 2025.
  32. ^"Lawyer sues Chinese contractor over Rajiv's road crash". Monitor. 13 May 2025. Retrieved 29 September 2025.
  33. ^Namatovu, Jackie (3 May 2025). "Rajiv Ruparelia's Cremation Set for Tuesday". ChimpReports. Retrieved 29 September 2025.
  34. ^"Bidding Farewell to Rajiv Ruparelia in Emotional Cremation Ceremony - Uganda Broadcasting Corporation". Uganda Broadcasting Corporation. 7 May 2025. Retrieved 29 September 2025.
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