Sudhir names chimpanzee after late son Rajiv
Ruparelia and his family travelled to Ngamba Island on June 20, 2026, where they named and adopted the young chimpanzee. They also donated sh50 million towards its welfare and the general care of the animal sanctuary.
The family of Sudhir Ruparelia displaying a plaque with a portrait of RR, a new born chimpanzee named after their son Rajiv Ruparelia during their visit to Ngamba Island. (Photo by Julius Luwemba)
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Ugandan business magnate and investor Sudhir Ruparelia has named a seven-month-old chimpanzee after his late son, Rajiv Ruparelia, as a way of honouring his conservation efforts.
Ruparelia and his family travelled to Ngamba Island on June 20, 2026, where they named and adopted the young chimpanzee. They also donated sh50 million towards its welfare and the general care of the animal sanctuary.
Innocent Ampeire the head animal keeper at Ngamba chimpanzee sanctuary feeding, Africa, the mother of baby chimpanzee named Rajiv Ruparelia. (Photo by Julius Luwemba)
The practice of naming wildlife, particularly chimpanzees, was popularised by renowned primatologist Jane Goodall during her study of chimpanzees at Gombe Stream National Park in Tanzania in the 1960s.
However, subsequent research by the ethologist demonstrated that animals possess distinct personalities, emotions and complex social bonds.
Africa, a chimpanzee at Ngamba island with her new born baby which was named RR after the son of property magnate Sudhir Ruparelia. (Photo by Julius Luwemba)
Dorothy Basemera, the communications and marketing officer at Chimpanzee Trust, the non-governmental organisation that manages Ngamba Sanctuary, said naming chimpanzees has also helped raise funds for the welfare of orphaned chimpanzees on the island.
"Adopting and naming a chimpanzee often comes with contributions towards the welfare of such a chimpanzee," she said.
"However, for Rajiv's case, it was a free gesture because the Sudhir family has always supported our conservation efforts and the welfare of the chimps at Ngamba island. But still, they went ahead to contribute some money towards the wellbeing of the newly christened young chimp," Basemera remarked.
Conservation support
Jyotsna (centre) a wife to Sudhir Ruparelia together with children Sheen and Meera plus grand children during their visit to Ngamba chimpanzee island located on Lake Victoria. (Photo by Julius Luwemba)
"However, the birth was not intended because we do not allow breeding since the 100-acre island already exceeded its carriage capacity of chimpanzees. Therefore, this birth on November 29, 2025, was as a result of a failed implant," Ampeire revealed.
Dr Joshua Rukundo, the executive director of Chimpanzee Trust and veterinary superintendent at Ngamba Sanctuary, explained that while Uganda is promoting tourism growth and chimpanzees remain one of the country's iconic attractions, the primary goal is to protect and sustain chimpanzee populations in their natural habitat.
"In a significant step to manage the sanctuary population and ensure space for future rescues, the veterinary team adopted a new surgical implant method for contraception. This innovative approach has so far proved to be more effective, reinforcing the sanctuary's no-breeding policy and its mission as a safe refuge," Rukundo noted.
He added that by the time the surgical contraception method was introduced, Africa had already conceived and later gave birth to the chimpanzee now named RR (Rajiv Ruparelia).
Honouring Rajiv
According to Sudhir Ruparelia, conservation is about more than wildlife protection.
Sudhir Ruparelia (3rd left) having a photo moment with some staff at Ngamba Chimpanzee Sanctuary on Saturday. (Photo by Julius Luwemba)
"Today as we name this chimpanzee in honour of Rajiv, we are reminded of a young man who loved animals, nature and wildlife. Rajiv believed very strongly that those of us who have been blessed with opportunity, also bear a responsibility to protect the vulnerable, whether people, communities or any other God's creation," Sudhir noted.
He said one of the moments that meant a great deal to his late son was when a young rhino at Ziwa Sanctuary was named Rae Ruparelia after Rajiv's daughter.
"For Rajiv, that was a statement of love, continuity, responsibility and hope," Sudhir expressed.
"By naming this chimpanzee in his honour, we are not only remembering Rajiv. We are also extending his spirit of care, kindness, generosity and responsibility into the future. May this chimpanzee grow strong, safe and protected," Sudhir added.
For years, the Ruparelia family and the Ruparelia Foundation have supported Ngamba Island and its efforts to protect and care for chimpanzees. Nine years ago, the family adopted a chimpanzee named Ruparelia.
Sudhir Ruparelia and family, being accompanied by journalist Andrew Mwenda and James Byamukama, the country director of the Jane Goodall institute during the naming ceremony of a new born chimpanzee baby named after their late son Rajiv Ruparelia at Ngamba Island. (Photo by Julius Luwemba)
During Saturday's naming ceremony, Sudhir was accompanied by his wife, Jyotsna Ruparelia, and daughters, Meera and Sheena Ruparelia.
Rajiv Ruparelia died in an accident on May 3, 2025, when his Nissan GT-R struck temporary pavement barriers on the Munyonyo-Kajjansi Expressway.
The first chimpanzee born at Ngamba Island was named Surprise because the birth caught sanctuary staff unaware. Other chimpanzees born on the island include Easy, Ruparelia, Tam Tam, Bolly, Themba, Silver and RR, while another is yet to be named.