Kampala, Uganda — Uganda’s motorsport community is set to unite in a powerful moving tribute this May as drivers, car clubs, and racing enthusiasts take to the streets to honour the late Rajiv Ruparelia, marking one year since his passing.
Scheduled for Sunday, May 3, 2026, the Rajiv Ruparelia Memorial Drive will see a symbolic convoy travel from RR Pearl Tower One to Speke Resort Munyonyo in an emotional procession celebrating a life that left an indelible mark on Uganda’s motorsport and business landscape.
Organised by TT Drags and Drifts UG under the Federation of Motorsports Clubs of Uganda, the event transforms the spirit of racing into a solemn act of remembrance.
Participants will gather at RR Pearl Tower One for registration and briefing before setting off in a coordinated convoy through Kampala in what organisers describe as far more than just a drive.
“This is not about speed or competition,” one organiser said.
“It is about unity, reflection, and celebrating a man whose passion for cars brought people together.”
The convoy will move in disciplined formation to Speke Resort Munyonyo, creating a striking citywide tribute expected to draw attention from motorists and onlookers alike.
The route itself carries profound symbolism.
RR Pearl Tower One stands as a lasting symbol of Rajiv’s vision and contribution to the Ruparelia business empire, while Speke Resort Munyonyo reflects his influence in shaping one of Uganda’s most iconic hospitality destinations.
Unlike conventional motorsport events built on adrenaline and rivalry, this memorial drive will focus on respect, safety, and shared remembrance.
The event forms part of a broader year-long series of tributes honouring Rajiv’s legacy.
In October 2025, the sixth round of Uganda’s National Rally Championship in Gulu was dedicated to his memory, while the Ruparelia Foundation has continued to transform remembrance into impact through community initiatives.
Among them was a major eye-care outreach in Bukedea that benefited more than 5,000 people and facilitated 265 surgeries, alongside a prosthetic limb donation drive at Mulago National Referral Hospital aimed at restoring mobility to amputees.
For many in Uganda’s automotive fraternity, Rajiv’s legacy remains deeply personal.
Known for his passion for performance cars and his close connection to the motorsport scene, he was widely regarded as a driving force behind the growth of Uganda’s car culture.
“This is how we honour him — through the engines he loved and the community he inspired,” said one participant preparing for the convoy.
The memorial drive is expected to attract everyone from seasoned rally drivers to young enthusiasts inspired by Rajiv’s journey.
And as engines ignite on May 3, they will carry more than horsepower through Kampala’s streets.
They will carry memory, brotherhood, and a legacy still very much in motion.
One year on, Rajiv Ruparelia is not only remembered in words — he is remembered in motion.