Illness behind Bryan White's court no-show — officials

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Kampala socialite Brian Kirumira, better known as Bryan White, failed to appear in court on Tuesday (February 10) due to illness, court officials said.

His wife, Naava Nakato, who is also accused, appeared before Chief Magistrate Sarah Basemera.

The other co-accused also present were Daisy Nalunga, Daphine Abaho (an advocacy officer) and Joyce Irene Nambalirwa (the administrator of Mukyala Mabirizi Nursing Home).

State Attorney Caroline Apia informed the court that investigations into their alleged human sacrifice case linked to the death of 25-year-old Caroline Nalubwama last October are still ongoing.

When the accused persons applied for bail, the chief magistrate informed them that her court lacked the jurisdiction to grant bail and advised them to seek bail from the High Court.

Basemera subsequently remanded them to prison until next month (March 17) for mention of the case.

Bryan White is battling charges of human sacrifice, manslaughter, doing rash and negligent acts causing death, and being in possession of marijuana.

The offence of manslaughter attracts a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, on conviction, while human sacrifice is punishable by death.

He also faces charges of conspiracy to commit a felony and giving false information, together with Nakato, Nalunga and Abaho. Nambalirwa is charged with manslaughter and doing rash and negligent acts causing death.

Allegations

Prosecution alleges that on October 22, 2025, in Kyamula zone, Makindye division in Kampala, Bryan White killed Nalubwama for the purposes of performing or furthering witchcraft, ritual or other unlawful purposes.

Prosecutors also allege that between October 22 and 27 last year at Kiruddu Hospital in Makindye division, Kampala, the socialite unlawfully caused the death of Nalubwama by burning.

On the charge of rash and neglect, the prosecution alleges that Bryan White, in the same period (October 22 and 27), did an act with combustible matter and omitted to take precaution against any probable danger from any material in his possession.

He is also accused of being found in possession of marijuana leaves and seeds in bottles, which is a narcotic drug.

White, Nakato, Nalunga and Abaho are also accused of conspiring to commit a felony - the ritual murder of Nalubwama. 

The prosecution alleges that they set fire to candle wax in a room while massaging Nalubwama’s body with a mixture of petrol and ghee as they consumed honey.

It is further alleged that the accused knowingly gave false information to Detective Bruce Tumwebaze and Inspector of Police Betty Monica Kyakuwaire at Mildmay Uganda Hospital, Katwe Police Station and the Kampala Metropolitan South offices.

They reportedly claimed that Nalubwama had sustained burns and had been admitted to Kiruddu Hospital, whereas she had been burnt and admitted to Mabirizi Nursing Home.

The prosecution contends that the accused were aware that this information was false and that their statements had misled the police officers.

Meanwhile, Nambalirwa is charged with causing the death of Nalubwama by negligently refusing to refer her to a main hospital for further medical treatment.

According to the prosecution, Nambalirwa’s rash and negligent act, though not amounting to manslaughter, directly led to Nalubwama’s death.

White rose to fame in Uganda’s entertainment industry through his Bryan White Foundation, known for handing out large sums of money to selected artistes around 2018.

Earlier reports indicated that Nalubwama met him in Saudi Arabia, where she was initially working, and on her return, she settled at his home in Makindye.