More than a year after the tragic loss of Rajiv Ruparelia, one emotional moment on the shores of Lake Victoria has captured the hearts of many Ugandans.
Business magnate Sudhir Ruparelia and his family travelled to Ngamba Island on Saturday, where they officially named and adopted a seven-month-old chimpanzee in honour of their late son, Rajiv. The young chimpanzee was given the name "RR" — a tribute designed to keep Rajiv's memory alive for generations to come.
What started as a conservation visit quickly turned into a deeply emotional family moment.
Standing before sanctuary staff, conservationists and close friends, Sudhir reflected on the son Uganda lost in a devastating road crash in May 2025. He described Rajiv as a young man who loved wildlife, nature and giving back to society, saying the naming ceremony was about carrying forward those values.
The family didn't stop there.
Alongside the adoption, the Ruparelias donated Shs50 million to support the welfare of chimpanzees at the sanctuary and strengthen conservation programs at Ngamba Island. Sanctuary officials praised the family's long-standing commitment to wildlife protection, revealing that their relationship with the conservation centre stretches back many years.
The chimpanzee itself carries a remarkable story.
According to sanctuary managers, RR was born on November 29, 2025, to a rescued female chimpanzee known as Africa. Staff say the birth came unexpectedly and the youngster has now become one of the most symbolic animals on the island because of the connection to Rajiv's legacy.
For many attending the ceremony, the tribute felt bigger than a name.
Conservation leaders said the gesture ensures Rajiv's memory remains connected to a cause he cared deeply about. With chimpanzees capable of living for decades, RR could become a living reminder of the young businessman whose life was cut short but whose impact continues to be felt across Uganda.
As photos from the island spread online, many Ugandans described the moment as one of the most touching public tributes to Rajiv since his passing.
And on a quiet island sanctuary surrounded by the waters of Lake Victoria, a new chapter of his story has now begun.