CSCEC Accused of Gross Recklessness in Fatal Rajiv Ruparelia Crash

Kampala — Public outrage is mounting against China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC) following the fatal crash that claimed the life of businessman and rally enthusiast Rajiv Ruparelia in the early hours of Saturday morning.

The 35-year-old was killed instantly when his high-powered Nissan GTR, nicknamed “Godzilla” for its blistering speed and performance, struck unmarked pavement barriers at the Busabala Flyover near Kibiri Junction, overturned, and exploded in flames.

The crash occurred at around 1:54 AM as Rajiv drove from Kajjansi towards Munyonyo.

Eyewitnesses and early responders to the crash scene are pointing fingers at the road design and, more critically, the apparent absence of adequate warning signs at the junction, especially at night.

“Very saddened by the passing of Rajiv Ruparelia,” wrote Frank Mwesigye, a witness who arrived at the scene shortly after the crash. “I was nearly involved in a similar accident myself. The construction of this junction is extremely dangerous. During the day, there are no visible barriers, but at night, barriers appear without any signage. This is misleading and dangerous.”

The flyover is part of the Shs 258 billion Najjanankumbi–Busabala Road upgrade, a flagship project overseen by the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) and contracted to CSCEC in 2021.

The 11-kilometre project includes the Munyonyo Spur interchange, four flyovers, two pedestrian bridges, and several support roads, designed to ease traffic flow between the Entebbe Expressway and Kampala Southern Bypass.

However, what should have been a model of modern infrastructure is now under scrutiny for possible negligence. Critics argue that safety protocols—especially those involving temporary structures—were not followed to standard.

Traffic Police spokesperson Michael Kananura confirmed that preliminary investigations suggest the GTR collided with temporary barriers placed at the roundabout section of the flyover.

“The vehicle overturned and caught fire, leading to instant death,” Kananura said. “We are reviewing all aspects of the crash, including road signage, night-time visibility, and contractor compliance with traffic management standards.”

The Nissan GTR Rajiv was driving is not just any vehicle—it’s a supercar built for precision, acceleration, and control. Its twin-turbocharged engine delivers 565 horsepower and can go from 0 to 100 km/h in under 3 seconds. It is a car designed to grip roads, not fall victim to unmarked hazards.

Responding units included ASP Mutoni Elinar of Kibiri Police Post and ASP Asiimwe Colleb from Katwe Police Station. By the time the Fire Brigade arrived, the vehicle had already been engulfed by flames.

This tragic incident comes at a time when Uganda is grappling with an ongoing road safety crisis. Police data shows 5,144 people have died on Ugandan roads in 2024 alone, averaging 14 fatalities per day. While most of these involve boda bodas and pedestrians, the accident involving Rajiv—on a high-speed, high-profile stretch of tarmac—throws a harsh spotlight on design flaws and insufficient oversight even on flagship roads.

As family, friends, and the business community continue to mourn the loss of a vibrant entrepreneur and philanthropist, the question is, who will be held accountable?

For many, the twisted wreckage of the GTR isn’t just the site of a tragic end—it’s a damning indictment of a road system that is failing the very people it was meant to serve.

Should the government review its supervision of foreign contractors working on Uganda’s public roads?