Deception Served Raw: It reads, but like a courtroom thriller. Recently, Rugiirwa Katatumba, scion of the prominent Katatumba family, learned a bitter lesson about friendship, trust, and betrayal. What began as a simple loan agreement between old family friends spiraled into a nightmare that saw Katatumba spending a harrowing week behind bars, falsely accused by those he once considered close allies.
Rugiirwa, son of the late Honorary Consul of Pakistan, H.E. Prof. Boney Mwebesa Katatumba, and brother to the celebrated singer Angella Katatumba, found himself at the mercy of Rajiv Ruparelia, the son of business magnate Sudhir Ruparelia. The bond between the Katatumbas and Ruparelias, once thought unbreakable, was put to the test—and failed spectacularly.
A Friendship Betrayed
It all began in 2019 when Rugiirwa approached Prime Finance Ltd., a company owned and managed by Rajiv Ruparelia, for a loan of UGX 60 million. The loan was intended to fund the construction of Katatumba Village, a real estate project on Ggaba Road. As collateral, Rugiirwa handed over the logbook of, and his prized possession, a Mercedes-Benz S-Class with private plates reading “RUGIIRWA.”
Initially, the arrangement seemed straightforward. Rugiirwa managed to pay off 30% of the loan before the world was hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, which upended lives and livelihoods. Despite the catastrophic impact of the pandemic, Rugiirwa remained optimistic, believing that his long-standing friendship with the Ruparelia family would allow for some leniency or understanding in these unprecedented times.
But instead of sympathy, Rugiirwa was met with cold indifference. On January 26, 2021, he was arrested and thrown into Kitalya Prison, accused of “obtaining credit by false pretense.” The arrest was swift and brutal, with the once-prominent businessman treated like a common criminal. The charges, brought forth by Prime Finance Ltd., were as murky as they were baseless.
Justice Prevails, but at What Cost?
For nearly four years, Rugiirwa was dragged through the legal system, forced to defend his honor against what he describes as “malicious prosecution.” His courtroom battles were long and grueling, but ultimately, justice was on his side. On July 24, 2024, Her Worship Jalia Bassajjabalaba delivered a resounding ruling in Rugiirwa’s favor. The court acquitted him of all charges and ordered Prime Finance to return his detained Mercedes-Benz.
Despite this victory, the damage was already done. The betrayal by the Ruparelias left Rugiirwa feeling deeply hurt and disillusioned. What was once a close-knit friendship had now been irreparably fractured.
The Legal Battle Continues
The story doesn’t end with Rugiirwa’s acquittal. Feeling wronged and humiliated, he has now decided to fight back. Through his lawyer, Counsel Julius Turinawe, he is suing the Ruparelias and the State for UGX 5 billion in damages, citing malicious prosecution and defamation.
This new legal battle promises to be just as intense as the one before it. Rugiirwa is determined to clear his name and seek retribution for the trauma he endured. Whether this lawsuit will bring closure or further fuel the animosity between the two families remains to be seen.
A Cautionary Tale
This saga serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of mixing business with personal relationships, especially in high society. The story of Rugiirwa Katatumba and Rajiv Ruparelia is a stark reminder that trust, once broken, can lead to catastrophic consequences. For Rugiirwa, the ordeal has been a painful awakening to the harsh realities of life, where even those closest to you can become your greatest adversaries.
Author Profile
- Mr. Daniels N. Tatya is an affluent Sports Writer, Commentator and Editor. His over 15 years of covering almost major sporting events makes him a revered and an authority on investigative Sports journalism in Uganda. He can also be reached via [email protected] +256(0)758268315
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Brilliant piece – very well written!! By the Prince of Journalism and the man from the mineral rich Busoga 🙂 🙂