The Central Motor Club (CMC) has paid tribute to the late Rajiv Ruparelia by dedicating the 6th round of the National Rally Championship to his memory.
The Rajiv Ruparelia Memorial Rally is scheduled to take place in Gulu from October 9th to 12th, 2025.
According to Shyam Kotecha, President of the Central Motor Club, Rajiv was a founder of the club in 2015 and will always be remembered.
“He is gone too soon and he is always in our hearts,” Shyam said.
“He is the one who told us and motivated us to do the rally outside Kampala – choosing Gulu as the venue, which rally came off successful.”
As part of the memorial rally, the club plans to undertake a CSR initiative, possibly drilling a borehole, a project Rajiv had always cherished for the benefit of local communities.
Enoch Leroy Olinga, the Clerk of the Course who navigated for Rajiv, emphasized the importance of honoring his memory.
“The family was on board and there was no objection,” he said.
“The nature of the place, culture of the people and roads attracted us to Gulu. Most of the stages have been named in memory of anything he did for passion in rallying.”
Gulu City Mayor Alfred Okwonga expressed gratitude to the organizers for choosing Gulu as the venue for the memorial rally.
“The memorial rally adds to the many efforts we are undertaking to make Gulu a tourism city,” he noted.
Reynolds Kibira, General Secretary of the Federation of Motorsport Clubs of Uganda (FMU), encouraged drivers and fans to prioritize safety in memory of Rajiv, who tragically passed away in a road accident on May 3, 2025.
“Let’s ensure safety in the memory of Rajiv,” Kibira urged.
The Rajiv Ruparelia Memorial Rally promises to be an exciting event, honoring the memory of a rally ace and businessman who left a lasting impact on Ugandan motorsport.
