Businessman Sudhir Ruparelia has strengthened his family's support for wildlife conservation with a donation of Shs50 million towards the care and protection of chimpanzees at Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary.
Sudhir, accompanied by family members, friends and members of the media, visited the sanctuary on Lake Victoria at the weekend, where the contribution was officially presented through the Ruparelia Foundation.
The funds will support ongoing conservation programmes aimed at protecting rescued and orphaned chimpanzees housed at the sanctuary.
The family also announced the adoption of a baby chimpanzee less than a year old, which was officially unveiled and named “RR” to pay tribute to his son Rajiv Ruparelia, who was killed in a crash last year.
The gesture carries special significance given Rajiv Ruparelia’s longstanding support for the sanctuary and its conservation programmes during his lifetime.
According to sanctuary officials, Rajiv was a passionate advocate for wildlife conservation and environmental sustainability, earning recognition from conservationists and members of the public for his commitment to protecting Uganda’s natural heritage.
The Ruparelia family's support for Ngamba Island is not new. Through the Ruparelia Foundation, the family has for years sponsored the care of a chimpanzee known as RUPA, which has since grown into adulthood under the sanctuary’s protection.
The adoption of baby RR further strengthens the family’s long-standing partnership with the conservation centre.
Speaking during the visit, sanctuary officials commended the Ruparelia Foundation for its continued contribution to wildlife conservation, noting that private sector support remains critical in sustaining rescue, rehabilitation and education programmes while safeguarding Uganda’s endangered chimpanzee population.
They said partnerships with individuals, corporations and charitable organisations play an important role in ensuring the sanctuary can continue caring for rescued chimpanzees and raising awareness about conservation.
The donation and adoption highlight Sudhir’s broader philanthropic efforts, which have supported initiatives in education, healthcare, sports, community development and environmental conservation across Uganda.
For the Ruparelia family, the naming of baby RR represents more than a symbolic gesture. It serves as a lasting tribute to Rajiv Ruparelia’s passion for nature and reflects the family’s commitment to continuing the causes he supported.
As visitors watched the young chimpanzee explore its surroundings on Ngamba Island, the occasion underscored the importance of collective efforts in protecting Uganda’s wildlife and preserving the country's natural heritage for future generations.
