Ugandans are still coming to terms with the tragic and untimely death of billionaire businessman Rajiv Ruparelia, who died in a horrific car crash near the Munyonyo roundabout.The accident, which happened late at night, also claimed the life of his female companion. The vehicle caught fire after the crash, and both bodies were reportedly burnt beyond recognition.
Earlier that evening, Rajiv had been seen enjoying himself at a kasiki — a traditional pre-wedding celebration — surrounded by friends, music, and laughter.
According to those who were with him, nothing seemed unusual.
“It was just a normal kasiki. Rajiv looked happy. We danced, we laughed. He even said, ‘See you tomorrow.’ But tomorrow never came,” said a close friend, visibly shaken.
Hours after leaving the celebration, the car he was driving reportedly lost control, rammed into a barrier, and went up in flames.
The fire was so intense that rescuers were unable to pull out the occupants in time.
However, in the midst of mourning and confusion, one particular detail has raised eyebrows and sparked questions on social media: why didn’t the vehicle’s number plates burn, even when the rest of the car was completely charred?
“It’s strange,” said one online user.
“If the whole car was on fire and even the bodies were burnt, how did the number plates survive so clean?”
Experts have weighed in on this. Number plates are made from metal, typically aluminum, which has a high resistance to heat compared to materials like plastic, rubber, or fabric.
In many vehicle fires, especially those that burn quickly, number plates often remain intact or only slightly damaged. This has helped authorities identify burnt-out vehicles in numerous global cases.
In Rajiv’s case, the survival of the plates is not unusual from a technical point of view — but in the heat of grief, many are still searching for clarity, closure, and answers.
