Ruparelia Family Stands with Prof. Muganga in Time of Grief

In moments of grief, public titles often recede, leaving only the quiet weight of personal loss. That was the atmosphere when businessman Sudhir Ruparelia and his family paid a condolence visit to Lawrence Muganga, the Vice Chancellor of Victoria University, following the death of his mother, Mama Immaculate Kayonga.

The visit, described by those present as intimate and reflective, brought together two families whose professional relationship has evolved into a personal bond. Ruparelia, accompanied by his wife Jyotsna, daughter Sheena and son in law Jay Sakaria, called on Prof. Muganga to offer sympathy and stand in solidarity with him during what he has openly described as one of the most painful seasons of his life.

Mama Kayonga passed away in December 2025, leaving behind a legacy her son has repeatedly characterised as rooted in faith, generosity and discipline. In previous tributes, Prof. Muganga referred to her as his pillar and moral compass, crediting her with shaping the values that have guided his leadership in academia and public life.

Speaking after the condolence visit, Prof. Muganga expressed deep appreciation for the gesture. “Your kindness is unmatched,” he said in a message shared with close associates, adding that the family’s presence brought comfort at a time when words alone often fall short.

Observers within the university community noted that the visit underscored a culture of relational leadership that extends beyond boardrooms and lecture halls. As proprietors of Victoria University, the Ruparelia family has worked closely with Prof. Muganga in steering the institution’s growth and positioning it within Uganda’s competitive higher education landscape. Yet in this instance, the engagement was not about strategy or expansion, but about empathy.

A senior staff member at the university described the moment as a reminder that institutions are sustained by people, not structures. “It meant a lot to see the founders stand with the Vice Chancellor not as executives, but as family friends,” the staff member said.

Condolence messages have continued to pour in from students, faculty and partners across the region, reflecting the respect Prof. Muganga commands in academic and civic circles. For many within the university, the show of support from the Ruparelia family reinforced a sense of unity during a period of mourning.

As Prof. Muganga and his relatives navigate the path of remembrance and healing, the visit has come to symbolise more than a customary gesture. It has highlighted the shared humanity that binds leaders together in times of vulnerability, affirming that even within Uganda’s corporate and educational spheres, compassion remains a powerful currency.