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David GOMBE
The motorsport fraternity, family and friends of the late Rajiv Ruparelia have organized a commemoration event to celebrate his legacy.
Rajiv perished in a fatal accident in Munyonyo last year and his family along with friends have staged up a series of activities in tribute of Rajiv who will next month mark a year since he passed on.
The commemorative events scheduled for May 3, 2026, were officially launched on Wednesday at RR Pearl Tower One.
Organizers led by their chairperson Stuart Kimera unveiled the program for the commemoration event.
Kimera, revealed the importance of honoring Rajiv’s impact:
“We celebrate Rajiv he changed many people’s lives. He contributed greatly to motorsport and at a humanitarian level. He went as far as he could to reach communities, so it’s important for us to celebrate such a life.”
Kimera also added that several Charity and Memorial Activities will be held on the day and called upon all Ugandans to join the activities.
“We invite all Ugandans to join us as we celebrate the life of a legend a name that changed many lives. We are going to have several activities in paying tribute to our friend and brother.” Said Kimera
The commemoration will kick off with a charity outreach at Mulago National Referral Hospital, led by the Ruparelia family, including a blood donation drive.
Participants will then assemble for a memorial procession starting from the RR Pearl building, moving through Jinja Road, Entebbe Road, and Nsambya, before proceeding to Busabala round about where Rajiv lost his dear life to lay flowers in his honor.
The day will conclude with prayers and a candlelight vigil at Speke Resort Munyonyo.
Kakaire Charles, president of the Street Racers Club Uganda, confirmed that renown rally drivers will be part of the event to honour their colleague.
“We are here today for the launch of the memorial of the late Rajiv Ruparelia which will take place on May 3, 2026. Let’s all be there. We shall have a blood donation at Mulago, and we thank the family for giving us the opportunity to celebrate the life of our late brother,” he said.
Rajiv met his sudden death at about 1:54am on May 3rd, 2025 at the Busaabala Flyover along the Kampala-Entebbe Expressway, heading towards Speke Resort Munyonyo, while driving his rally vehicle, UAT 638L, a Godzilla Nissan GTR Supercar, which rammed into temporary pavement barriers.
He was a son of Ugandan business mogul Sudhir Ruparelia. At the time of his death, Rajiv was the Managing Director of Ruparelia Group, one of East Africa’s largest multisectoral Conglomerates with business interests in Banking, insurance, education, Broadcasting, real estate floriculture and hotels.