Kampala socialite Bryan Kirumira, better known as Bryan White, has been remanded to Luzira prison until December 18 over charges stemming from the death of 25-year-old Carol Nalubwama.
Kirumira on Wednesday appeared before the Makindye Chief Magistrate’s court, where proceedings were held behind closed doors on account of what officials described as security and health concerns.
The 38-year-old was brought to court in a white police ambulance, lying on a stretcher with what appeared to be burn wounds wrapped in heavy bandages. He bypassed the main courtroom entirely and was wheeled directly into chief magistrate Sarah Basemera’s chambers.
Only police officers and members of the victim’s family were permitted inside, with journalists and the public barred from the hearing. Kirumira faces seven charges, including human sacrifice, manslaughter, conspiracy to commit a felony, possession of narcotic drugs, and giving false information to police.
Prosecutors allege that Nalubwama suffered fatal burn injuries on October 22, 2025, at Kirumira’s residence in Kyamula Zone, Makindye Division.
They claim the incident was part of a ritual involving Kirumira’s co-accused, including his wife Daisy Nalunga, Daphine Abaho, Naava Nakato, and Joyce Irene Nambalirwa, who are said to have taken part in the plot.
Nalunga, Abaho, and Nakato were remanded last week by grade one magistrate Teddy Nakawuki, while Nambalirwa faces separate charges of manslaughter and negligent conduct for allegedly failing to refer Nalubwama for emergency treatment at M. Mabirizi Nursing Home.
The co-accused are jointly charged with conspiracy; prosecutors say they lit candle wax and massaged Nalubwama’s body with petrol and ghee as part of the alleged ritual.
Beyond the ritual-related counts, Kirumira also faces charges of rash and negligent conduct involving combustible materials. Police further say they recovered marijuana stored in bottles at his residence.
Investigators allege that Kirumira and his group misled law enforcement by initially claiming the victim’s injuries were the result of a gas cylinder accident. When officers searched his residence, they also found grass-thatched structures suspected to be shrines.
Kirumira’s return to court follows a dramatic session on November 14, when he was brought in visibly weakened, unable to stand or sit. Magistrate Lorna Patience Mukundane ordered that he be taken back to Mildmay hospital for urgent treatment after he cried out for medical assistance.
The co-accused were remanded separately as investigations continued. After Wednesday’s closed-door proceedings, chief magistrate Basemera ordered Kirumira remanded to Luzira Prison until December 18, when he and his co-accused are expected to appear again for an update on the progress of investigations.
Nalubwama’s family has rejected explanations offered by Kirumira, calling for a full and transparent inquiry. Police say they are reviewing CCTV footage and other evidence to establish the precise circumstances leading to the young woman’s death.
Kirumira, a figure long familiar with legal controversy, including an attempted murder case in 2017 and fraud-related arrests in 2020, both later dropped, remains under tight police supervision as the investigation deepens.
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