Details Emerge; Ruparelia Had Returned from London to attend Wedding When He Met Death 

Kampala | Saturday, May 3, 2025

The nation is in mourning following the tragic death of Rajiv Ruparelia, the 35-year-old son of business magnate Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia, who perished in a fatal car crash early Saturday morning at the Busabala flyover.

Rajiv had just returned to Uganda from London to attend the wedding of his close friend, Jonathan Butera Bahizi, son of outgoing Deputy Chief Justice Richard Butera. The wedding was scheduled to take place today, May 3rd, at All Saints Cathedral, Nakasero.

According to family friend and senior journalist Andrew Mwenda, Rajiv was en route from Kajjansi to Munyonyo to join the groom’s convoy when tragedy struck. Traveling at considerable speed,

Rajiv who was driving a Nissan Skyline GTR vehicle Registration Number UAT 638L

The Vehicle in which Rajiv was travelling, Nissan Skyline GTR

reportedly crashed into an unmarked road barrier positioned in the middle of the road near the Busabala flyover. The impact caused the vehicle to become airborne for nearly 80 meters before crashing and bursting into flames. Rajiv died instantly at the scene.

Mwenda noted that Rajiv may have been unaware of the presence of these road barriers, as he had been out of the country for some time and had not been using that particular road since his return.

The car in which Rajiv was travelling in flames

Residents living near the accident site described it as an accident-prone black spot. They blamed road contractors and authorities for negligence, citing the presence of unmarked barriers, poor lighting, and lack of warning signs as recurring hazards that have claimed several lives over time.

Calls are mounting for authorities to investigate the safety standards along the Busabala flyover and ensure such fatal oversights are urgently addressed.