The death of Rajiv Ruparelia in a grisly car crash early Saturday morning has ignited public outrage over the way temporary barriers are haphazardly placed at road construction sites—raising pointed questions about oversight and safety enforcement.
Rajiv, 34, the only son of business magnate Sudhir Ruparelia and managing director of Ruparelia Group, was killed on the spot when his high-performance Nissan GTR sports car hit a pavement barrier at the Busabala Flyover along the Entebbe Expressway, overturned and burst into flames.
According to traffic police, the crash happened at about 1:54am as Rajiv drove from Kajjansi toward Munyonyo.
Preliminary findings indicate the vehicle collided with temporary pavements erected at the roundabout section of the newly constructed flyover in Makindye-Ssabagabo, Wakiso District.
The car lost control and ignited into flames on impact, killing him on the spot.
In a statement, Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety spokesperson SP Michael Kananura confirmed the fatal crash and said investigations are ongoing.
But as tributes poured in, public attention quickly turned to the state of road construction zones—especially the way barriers are left unmarked, unlit and dangerously positioned.
“This isn’t just about speeding. It’s about design and visibility. What signage warned him at night? What lighting was in place? These barriers are set up like booby traps,” said a social media user.
Photos from the scene show pavement slabs set up around the flyover’s circular junction, some barely visible and without standard reflective tape or lighting.
The Ministry of Works and Transport, which took over direct oversight of national road construction after the disbandment of UNRA, is yet to issue statement on the matter.
However, Nile Post understands that ministry officials were locked in a crisis meeting over the fatality and the condition of the flyover’s roadworks.
In confidence, a ministry official said speeding has been cited as one of the cause of the crash.
Kajjansi-Munyonyo spur is not an Expressway and the speed limits are clearly indicated as 80kph.
Rajiv’s death has shaken the business community and thrown a spotlight on the recurring risks faced by motorists on partially completed infrastructure.
Known for his dynamic style, Rajiv led several of the family’s modern real estate projects and was often personally seen inspecting sites in rolled-up sleeves.
Before turning fully to business, he co-owned Sway Club along Kampala Road and later joined Uganda’s national rallying scene as a competitive driver.
Born to Sudhir and Jyotsna Ruparelia, Rajiv was the youngest sibling of Meera and Sheena. He is also survived by widow Naiya and a daughter.