Uganda is mourning the tragic loss of Rajiv Ruparelia, a business magnate, reformist leader and dedicated ally to free expression, who died on Saturday, May 3, 2025, in a car accident along the Busabala–Munyonyo road. He was 35 years old.
Born into the prominent Ruparelia family, Rajiv stood not only as the heir to his father, the city tycoon Sudhir Ruparelia’s legacy but emerged as a bold and principled figure in his own right. At the time of his passing, he served as the Managing Director of the Ruparelia Group, a diversified business empire with investments across finance, real estate, education, hospitality and agriculture.
But Rajiv was not content to simply inherit. He chose to lead.
Leadership built on merit, not inheritance
From the outset, Rajiv’s leadership style was defined by humility and modernity. He walked the streets of Kampala freely, dressed modestly often without the trappings of his status. While many of his contemporaries leaned into elitism, Rajiv was known to take boda bodas, attend grassroots events and maintain personal relationships across all social strata.
When the Crane Bank saga erupted, a highly publicized financial dispute that placed the Ruparelia family under political and legal siege it was Rajiv who took on the painstaking responsibility of countering a well-oiled misinformation campaign. At great personal risk, he gathered evidence, coordinated legal teams and emerged as the strategic face of resistance. It was a crucible moment, and one from which he walked not only vindicated but strengthened.
A Champion of education and reform
In 2019, Rajiv turned his attention to Victoria University, a struggling institution under his family’s portfolio. With characteristic energy and vision, he transformed it into one of Uganda’s most forward-looking universities, emphasizing innovation, practical learning and continental partnerships. Under his stewardship, the university’s enrollment tripled and it became a model for private higher education in East Africa.
His belief in education as a tool for empowerment was unwavering. He championed scholarships for underprivileged students and supported reforms to make university governance more transparent and responsive to student needs.
The quiet hero of Uganda’s independent media
Perhaps Rajiv’s most unspoken legacy is his support for Uganda’s online and independent media, a sector often under political pressure. In recent years, as journalists faced increasing threats ranging from arbitrary arrests to financial sabotage, Rajiv became their silent guardian.
Editors and reporters across multiple platforms attest to his swift interventions. He covered legal costs, funded emergency healthcare for injured reporters and even helped struggling outlets acquire digital tools and servers. Yet, he never asked for public recognition.
He understood that a free press isn’t a threat, it’s a safety net for democracy. He was always just a phone call away.
A legacy of grace and grounded power
Rajiv’s charisma stemmed not from his bank account, but from his authenticity. He listened more than he spoke, led without fanfare, and made loyalty his highest currency. Whether attending youth innovation camps, wedding ceremonies in rural Uganda or university graduations, he carried himself with disarming ease.
Despite his proximity to power, he never sought political office. Still, his moral influence was unmistakable. Rajiv was a voice of reason in rooms filled with ambition, a calming presence during heated boardroom debates and a believer in results over rhetoric.
A nation mourns, a generation reflects
His death is more than a family tragedy, it is a national loss. Uganda has lost one of its most promising sons: a man who used his privilege not to dominate, but to uplift; not to isolate, but to include.
He is survived by his wife Naiya, their daughter and his parents Sudhir and Mrs. Jyotsna Ruparelia. Funeral arrangements are ongoing, and a state of deep mourning has engulfed friends, business partners, university students and journalists alike.
In his passing, Uganda is reminded that greatness is not measured by how loudly one lives, but by how profoundly one touches others.
Rest in Peace, Rajiv. Your legacy will live on!
