Kampala, Uganda: The cremation of Rajiv Ruparelia, son of business magnate Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia, is scheduled for today, Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at the Hindu Crematorium in Lugogo, Kampala, following Monday clearance from the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA).
The ceremony will commence at 2:30 PM, following a private procession from the Ruparelia family residence in Kololo.
The cremation will adhere to Hindu rites known as Antyesti, or “last rites.” Typically, the body is washed, anointed, and dressed in traditional attire.
During the ceremony, a Hindu priest and senior family members conduct rituals, including the mukhagni, where the eldest son or a male relative lights the funeral pyre, symbolizing the release of the soul from the physical body.
Following the cremation, it is customary for the ashes to be collected and later scattered in a sacred body of water, signifying the final separation of the soul from the body.
Rajiv, 35, died on Saturday, May 3, in a car crash in Busabala, Wakiso District. He was reportedly en route to serve as a groomsman at a friend’s wedding when his vehicle struck a barricade and caught fire, resulting in his death at the scene.
The businessman’s death has prompted public outcry over road safety and the responsibilities of contractors at construction sites.
Retired UPDF General Henry Tumukunde, who attended Monday’s vigil, emphasized the need for accountability, stating, “Those who don’t do their work and cause death should certainly be punished.”
Kampala Central Division Mayor, Mr. Salim Uhuru, highlighted the lack of road signs at construction sites, noting, “Road users must be protected.” Senior Presidential Advisor on Creatives, musician Eddy Kenzo, criticized road contractors for hazards like unmarked stone dust, which reduces visibility.
Inspector General of Government, Ms. Beti Kamya, remarked that the accident should serve as a wake-up call for road contractors to ensure safety measures are in place.
In a statement released on Sunday evening, the family requested that their privacy “be respected during this tough and trying time.”
The cremation ceremony on Tuesday will mark the final farewell to Rajiv Ruparelia, as family, friends, and the nation honor his memory and contributions.
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