KAMPALA, Uganda – The prominent Ugandan business community is in mourning following the untimely death of Rajiv Ruparelia, the managing director of the Ruparelia Group and son of billionaire Sudhir Ruparelia. He was 35 years old.
Ruparelia died early Saturday morning in a single-vehicle crash near the Busabala Flyover, according to police reports.
Police spokesperson SP Kananura Michael stated that the accident occurred at approximately 1:54 a.m. at the traffic lights on the Busabala Flyover in Makindye-Ssabagabo, Wakiso District. Preliminary investigations indicate that Ruparelia was driving his Nissan GTR from Kajjansi towards Munyonyo when the vehicle collided with temporary pavements at a roundabout on the flyover. The impact caused the car to overturn and ignite, resulting in his immediate death.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragic accident and will release further information as it becomes available.
Rajiv Ruparelia was a dynamic force within the Ruparelia Group, a multi-sector conglomerate with significant holdings in real estate, education, hospitality, and agriculture. Born in Uganda on January 2, 1990, he followed his father’s entrepreneurial path after graduating with a degree in financial management from Regents College London in 2013.
He officially joined the family’s vast business empire in 2014, initially gaining hands-on experience by overseeing construction sites. His responsibilities quickly expanded to encompass design, planning, and management across the group’s diverse portfolio, which spans real estate, hospitality, finance, and education. By 2017, his leadership and vision led to his appointment as managing director, a role in which he oversaw the operations of over 28 businesses within the Ruparelia Group.
Like his renowned father, Rajiv Ruparelia firmly believed in the crucial roles of robust systems and dedicated people in driving business success. His commitment extended beyond the corporate realm, as he also served on the board of the Ruparelia Foundation. There, he focused on the general welfare department and passionately promoted sports, reflecting his personal interests in motorsports, golf, and rugby.
In past interviews, Ruparelia shared insights into his early entrepreneurial spirit, recalling his first business venture at the age of 17 – an investment in a nightclub while still pursuing his education. After completing his university studies, he immersed himself in the intricacies of the Ruparelia Group, starting with the practicalities of managing laborers and materials on significant construction projects, including the expansion of Kampala Parents School and the construction of the CMI headquarters.
Ruparelia often credited his mother, Jyotsna Ruparelia, for her pivotal role in his upbringing, particularly in overseeing his education and extracurricular activities. He was the younger brother of two elder sisters: Sheena, who currently heads the Ruparelia Group’s hotel division, and Meera, who manages a sugar trading company in neighboring Kenya.
His educational journey included attending the International School of Uganda before his father enrolled him in Kabira International School Uganda and later in boarding schools in Britain, including Dragon School in Oxford and Haileybury. Ruparelia noted that his time in England instilled in him a sense of humility. While he initially pursued a degree in Business Administration, he found it challenging due to dyslexia, ultimately gravitating towards the subject of finance.
He met his wife, Naiya Ruparelia, at a revision camp during his teenage years. Although they initially connected at 17, their romantic relationship blossomed after they reconnected in London at the age of 22. The couple has one child.
In recent years, Rajiv Ruparelia had articulated his ambitious plans for the continued growth and diversification of the Ruparelia Group, including a potential foray into the cultivation of medical cannabis, for which the group had applied for the necessary licenses.
His sudden and tragic death in a car accident has sent shockwaves through Uganda’s business community, leaving a void in the leadership landscape. As details surrounding the accident continue to emerge, the nation mourns the loss of a promising young leader.
