Rajiv Ruparelia Accident: Chinese Road Contractor Dragged to Court

A Ugandan lawyer has dragged Chinese contractor, China State Construction Engineering Corporation, on allegations of negligence which he says led to the death of Rajiv Ruparelia in an accident on the Busabala flyover of the Kajjansi–Munyonyo Expressway. The lawyer wants court to issue orders to help avoid the reoccurrence of incidents similar to the Rajiv Ruparelia accident. 

Rajiv Ruparelia, son to billionaire Sudhir Ruparelia, died in an accident that happened on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at the Busabala flyover traffic lights located in Makindye-Ssabagabo in Wakiso District.

When the accident happened, Rajiv Ruparelia was driving his Nissan GTR motor vehicle registration number UAT 638L.

Police said that Rajiv Ruparelia lost control of the vehicle after colliding with temporary pavements installed at the roundabout section of the flyover. His vehicle overturned and caught fire.

Now, journalist Joshua Okello, a lawyer from Soroti City, has sued the contractor over alleged gross negligence as being the cause of accident that killed Rajiv Ruparelia.

Filed in the High Court Civil Division at Kampala, Okello’s suit seeks to bring China State Construction Engineering Corporation to account for its ‘negligence’ in its road construction works and management of projects.

Okello argues that the Chinese road contractor’s actions and inactions show that they failed to ensure road safety.

“The fatal accident that claimed the life of Rajiv and many others exposes gross negligence in road construction management. The respondent, through its agents, should be held liable for placing barriers without proper signage or warning,” Okello argued.

“Putting barriers in the middle of the road without notice or signage interrupts traffic flow and causes accidents resulting in loss of life. This amounts to unequal treatment of Ugandans contrary to the Constitution and principles of equity and good conscience.”

He wants the High Court to direct the Chinese contractor to put in place clear road signs, complete road works that have stalled and to stop put unmarked barriers on the road.

The remains of Rajiv Ruparelia were cremated days ago. His parents Sudhir and Jyotsna gave emotional speeches about their son. (Read and watch what Sudhir and his wife said about Rajiv Here).

You can also read facts about Rajiv and how he had flown back to Uganda to attend his friend’s wedding as a groomsman, only for him to die hours before the event, Here and There.

For comments on this report, story tips or sponsored content, send us a Whatsapp message on +256 705 690 819 or E-mail us on pearltimesug@gmail.com).

Please Follow our Whatsapp Channel for More Stories Here