Gulu Roars As Rajiv Ruparelia Memorial Rally 2025 Honors A Fallen Motorsport Star

By Frank Kamuntu

The dust and thunder of engines are back in northern Uganda as the Rajiv Ruparelia Memorial Rally 2025 roars through Gulu City this weekend, igniting emotions, memories, and adrenaline in equal measure.

The two-day event, running from Friday through Saturday, marks the sixth round of the Uganda National Rally Championship (NRC) and doubles as a heartfelt tribute to the late Rajiv Ruparelia — a businessman, philanthropist, and motorsport enthusiast whose life was tragically cut short on May 3, 2025, in a car crash along the Entebbe Expressway.

Covering a total distance of 260 kilometers, including 132.6 kilometers of competitive stages, the rally promises high-octane action as 27 crews battle for supremacy. Among the frontrunners are household names Ronald Sebuguzi, Ponsiano Lwakataka, Nasser Mutebi, and Oscar Ntambi, joined by a strong lineup including Duncan Mubiru, Michael Mukula, Musa Ssegaabwe, and Jaffer Lukenge.

The rally’s highlight is the Super Special Stage Rajiv Ruparelia, a 1.96-kilometer circuit that will be run twice in Rajiv’s memory. It’s both a test of precision driving and a symbolic reminder 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 is personally attending the event.

Days after the engines fell silent at the Pece War Memorial Stadium, Gulu City Council held a special sitting and resolved to name a major road in Rajiv’s honour — a decision that has deeply moved the Ruparelia family. According to Mayor Alfred Okwonga, the proposed “Rajiv Ruparelia Road” will run near Pece Stadium, where key rally stages unfolded. “Rajiv believed in building communities through sport, and his energy brought life to our city. Naming this road after him is a symbol of how his legacy continues to inspire northern Uganda,” said Okwonga.

In response, Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia expressed heartfelt gratitude to the people of Gulu, noting that the gesture immortalizes his son’s values of friendship, hard work, and community development. “We are incredibly touched by this lasting honour. Naming a road after Rajiv ensures his memory lives on in the community he loved. Thank you for keeping his spirit alive,” he said.

The memorial rally, organized by the Central Motor Club (CMC), also featured community outreach initiatives inspired by Rajiv’s philanthropic legacy. Organizers drilled a borehole to provide clean water and planted hundreds of trees across Gulu, symbolizing growth, renewal, and the enduring impact of Rajiv’s compassion.

In the fiercely contested Wobbly Stage 2, Hassan Alwi and Musa Nsubuga (Ford) emerged victorious with a time of 13:34:5, followed by Duncan Mubiru and Joseph Kamya, with Ronald Ssebuguzi and Anthony Mugambwa securing third place. With the NRC season approaching its climax, the Gulu round is expected to play a decisive role in shaping this year’s championship standings.

To many fans and colleagues, Rajiv was more than a rally driver — he was a visionary who bridged business, sport, and social change. Through the Ruparelia Foundation, he supported education, youth empowerment, and sports development across Uganda. His final act may have been behind the wheel, but his enduring legacy now races through the hearts of Ugandans — and soon, down a road bearing his name.