Kampala is in shock. The sudden and heartbreaking death of Rajiv Ruparelia, beloved son of billionaire Sudhir Ruparelia, has left the city in shock. But as tearful tributes pour in, so do the whispers—was this tragedy preventable?
Rajiv, just 34, was known for his sharp business mind and charismatic presence. As a director in the Ruparelia Group empire, he moved in elite circles but was also admired for his down-to-earth charm. Now, instead of celebrating his future, Uganda is left asking — What really happened that night?
Rajiv Ruparelia, a rally car driver, has been the managing director of the Ruparielia Group, one of East Africa’s largest multisectoral conglomerates with business interests in banking, insurance, education, broadcasting, real estate, floriculture, hotels and resorts sectors, among others.
Details are questionable, but sources say Rajiv’s vehicle collided with a poorly marked construction barricade along Entebbe Road—a stretch locals have long called a death trap. Eyewitnesses claim the barriers were barely visible, with no proper lighting or warning signs.
“If those barricades were properly installed, he might still be alive,” a shaken family friend told us. “This wasn’t just an accident—it was a failure.”
Social media has erupted with fury. Ugandans are demanding accountability, tagging city officials and the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) with one burning question: — How many more lives will be lost before these roads are made safe?
A construction worker, speaking anonymously, revealed: — “We’ve complained for months. Those barriers were slapped up without proper checks. Now look what’s happened.”
The family has remained private in their mourning, but insiders say Sudhir is “broken beyond words.” Rajiv wasn’t just an heir—he was a devoted father, a loyal friend, and the heartbeat of his family.
As investigations unfold, one thing is clear — Uganda won’t accept vague answers. This isn’t just about a billionaire’s son—it’s about every life lost to negligence.
Was Rajiv’s death a tragic accident—or a preventable failure? “This has to stop” — The public demands some answers to such tragic incidents.
