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The China State Construction Engineering Corporation, a Chinese road contractor, has been dragged to court for the alleged negligence that led to the death of Rajiv Ruparelia, son of billionaire Sudhir Ruparelia, in a fiery car crash on the Kajjansi–Munyonyo Expressway last week.
The suit, filed by Soroti-based lawyer, Joshua Okello at the High Court Civil Division in Kampala, accuses the Chinese contractor of “gross negligence in road construction and management” after the businessman’s car, Nissan GT-R (UAT 658H), slammed into unmarked concrete barriers at the Busabala Flyover Junction around 1:54 am on Saturday, May 3.
In his affidavit, a copy of which DailyExpress has seen, Okello describes the tragedy as “an unforgivable incident” that reflects “the respondent’s failure to ensure road safety,” and wants the High court to issue orders compelling proper road signage, completion of pending roadworks, and a ban on placing unmarked barriers at night.
“The fatal accident that claimed the life of Rajiv and many others exposes gross negligence in road construction management,” Okello stated. “The respondent, through its agents, should be held liable for placing barriers without proper signage or warning.”
The Lawyer further demands that the High Court issue a mandamus order compelling both the contractor and supervising authorities to expedite road completion and adopt safety-compliant engineering standards.
“Putting barriers in the middle of the road without notice or signage interrupts traffic flow and causes accidents resulting in loss of life,” reads part of the court application. “This amounts to unequal treatment of Ugandans contrary to the Constitution and principles of equity and good conscience.”
Okello’s legal challenge follows weeks of public outrage and growing criticism from government officials over the conduct of road contractors.
Transport Minister Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala recently tasked Eng. Isaac Wani, Acting Commissioner for Roads, is to explain persistent delays and safety lapses on major infrastructure projects, to which the latter admitted that the delays are partly due to lengthy processes such as clearing rights of way and subgrade preparation, but promised to revise safety protocols in light of recent incidents.
Eyewitnesses say Rajiv was alone in the vehicle when it hit the barriers at high speed, flipping several meters into the air before bursting into flames. He was reportedly returning from pre-wedding celebrations and was expected to serve as one of the groomsmen later that day.
“I think he did not know the barrier because he had just recently returned from London,” said veteran journalist Andrew Mwenda, a close family friend, who described the moment as “a ball of fire… He and the car were incinerated.”
Okello argues that the state and contractors have a duty of care to the public, and that unless the court intervenes, “injustice will continue to prevail and more lives will be lost.”