Rajiv Ruparelia Memorial Rally could become Uganda’s answer to Kenya’s Guru Nanak tradition

What the report says

Uganda’s motorsport community is considering whether the Rajiv Ruparelia Memorial Rally could develop into a lasting annual event after what Watchdog Uganda described as a successful 2026 edition in Gulu. The rally was organised by the Central Motor Club (CMC) from October 8 to 10 and drew 32 crews to northern Uganda, combining competition with community outreach in memory of businessman and rally driver Rajiv Ruparelia.

According to the report, Ruparelia died in a road accident on May 3, 2025, aged 35. He had been active in Ugandan rallying since 2019 and previously served as a patron of CMC, supporting efforts to take motorsport activity beyond Kampala. The article says the memorial event is being viewed as a possible foundation for a new national motorsport tradition, with comparisons made to Kenya’s long-running Guru Nanak Rally and a similar example in Tanzania.

The piece also notes that the Gulu edition included a charitable component. Through CMC’s partnership with the Ruparelia Foundation, the Gulu Disabled Persons Union received household supplies, including food items. The report presents this as part of an effort to extend Ruparelia’s legacy into the host community while also highlighting the wider economic and promotional benefits of staging a national rally in northern Uganda.

Watchdog Uganda says the event’s future will likely depend on continued support from the Ruparelia Group, the Ruparelia Foundation, sponsors, CMC and other motorsport stakeholders. The broader idea is to turn a memorial competition into a sustainable fixture that supports talent development, community engagement and regional motorsport growth.