By Annet Kobusingye
The roar of engines and the thrill of high-speed competition returned to northern Uganda this weekend as the Rajiv Ruparelia Memorial Rally 2025 took over Gulu City, blending adrenaline, nostalgia, and a heartfelt tribute to a young life cut tragically short.
The two-day rally, held from Friday through Saturday, marked the sixth round of the Uganda National Rally Championship (NRC) and honored Rajiv Ruparelia, a businessman, philanthropist, and motorsport enthusiast who died in a car accident on May 3, 2025, along the Entebbe Expressway.
Spanning 260 kilometers, including 132.6 kilometers of competitive stages, the rally brought together 27 crews, including Uganda’s top drivers: Ronald Sebuguzi, Ponsiano Lwakataka, Nasser Mutebi, and Oscar Ntambi, alongside rising talents Duncan Mubiru, Michael Mukula, Musa Ssegaabwe, and Jaffer Lukenge.
A highlight of the event was the Super Special Stage Rajiv Ruparelia, a 1.96-kilometer circuit run twice in memory of Rajiv. More than just a test of skill, the stage symbolized the spirit of a man who lived life at full throttle. “Rajiv’s legacy will live on through this memorial rally, which aims to promote motorsport and give back to the community,” said Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia, Rajiv’s father and chairman of the Ruparelia Group, who attended the rally in person.
The event’s impact extended beyond the track. Days after the engines fell silent at Pece War Memorial Stadium, the Gulu City Council convened a special session and decided to name a major road in Rajiv’s honor. The proposed “Rajiv Ruparelia Road” will run near Pece Stadium, the heart of the rally’s action. “Rajiv believed in building communities through sport, and his energy brought life to our city. Naming this road after him ensures his legacy inspires northern Uganda for generations,” said Mayor Alfred Okwonga.
In response, Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia expressed heartfelt gratitude: “We are incredibly touched by this lasting honor. Naming a road after Rajiv ensures his memory lives on in the community he loved. Thank you for keeping his spirit alive.”
True to Rajiv’s philanthropic ethos, the rally also incorporated community initiatives organized by the Central Motor Club (CMC). These included drilling a borehole to provide clean water and planting hundreds of trees across Gulu — acts that symbolized growth, renewal, and Rajiv’s enduring compassion.
On the competitive front, the Wobbly Stage 2 saw Hassan Alwi and Musa Nsubuga in their Ford take the top spot with a time of 13:34:5, followed by Duncan Mubiru and Joseph Kamya in second, while Ronald Ssebuguzi and Anthony Mugambwa secured third place. With the NRC season approaching its climax, the Gulu round is expected to be pivotal in determining this year’s championship standings.
To his peers and fans, Rajiv Ruparelia was more than a rally driver. He was a visionary who bridged business, sport, and social change. Through the Ruparelia Foundation, he championed education, youth empowerment, and sports development across Uganda. Though his final act was behind the wheel, his legacy now races through the hearts of Ugandans — and soon, down a road bearing his name.