How Bryan White went off DPP's hook

Bryan White's fans carry him in celebration of freedom. Photos by Martin Ndijo

Kampala City socialite, Brian Kirumira aka Bryan White, 32, is now a freeman after the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) decided to discontinue proceedings against him in an attempted murder case he has been battling in court.

Kirumira, who on Tuesday afternoon came out of the Makindye Chief Magistrate, Elias Kakooza's chambers smiling ear to ear, brandished his passport, which he said was confirmation that he had regained his total freedom.

In a withdraw form dated April 9, 2018 and signed by the DPP, Mike Chibita to the Makindye Chief Magistrate's court, he indicated that the state had discontinued proceedings against Kirumira and his bodyguard, Number 48177, Detective Corporal Thomas Okot, 28, attached to Kabalagala police Station.

On Monday, Kirumira skipped court but his lawyer, John Bulungu told court that he was sick.

The magistrate adjourned the hearing of the case to April 24 but it was disclosed that he had reconciled with the victim, Victor Bitwire. 

Franked by several musicians including Douglas Mayanja aka Weasel, Pius Mayanja aka Palaso, Lady Mariam alias Tindatiine and others, Kirumira told journalists that he had paid sh150m to Bitwire to settle the matter out of court. New Vision could not however verify from Bitwire whether he received the money after it was established that he had travelled back to the United Kingdom.  

Bryan White (C) with singers Chameleon (R) and King Michael (L)

 
His arrest

According to the DPP, Kirumira and Okot attempted to unlawfully cause the death of Bitwire on the night of December 13, 2017, while at his residence in Buziga -Munyonyo, Makindye division in Kampala district. It is alleged that they shot at him after an argument.  

Bitwire sustained a gunshot injury in the shoulder and was admitted in Nsambya Hospital from where he was transferred to Kampala International Hospital (IHK) for further management.  

 
Kirumira and Okot were arrested and remanded to Luzira Maximum security prisons. They were released on sh10m cash bail each and their sureties sh20m not cash after spending close to a month in prison.

Kirumira's fans accorded him a heroic welcome on his release from prison.

Who is Bryan White?

Born Brian Kirumira in 1985, Bryan White grew up and studied in Mityana Central College and Mityana Secondary school. He went to Makerere University and did Bachelor of Law but dropped out after the first semester. He then went to Italy to follow his mother who had gone there in 1988.

Source of his cash

It is alleged that he got his wealth from Italy where his mother was married to a wealthy Italian real estate mogul. White says the couple used to buy old houses, renovate and sell them at a huge fortune. He says that after the death of his mother, the Italian left him as one of directors in the company and that's where he gets his money.

How he came to the limelight

Bryan White came to the limelight immediately after the death of Ivan Ssemwanga, a Kampala socialite who died in South Africa in 2017.

It is reported that he first caught the public eye through a video that went viral. In this video, he was seen counting bundles of fifty thousand notes as he gave them to a lady who could not stop thanking him.

He would also cruise around Kampala with lots of bikes commonly known as bodabodas trailing his white convertible Lexus as he made his way to Wankulukuku stadium where he would give out cash to the youth for purposes of boosting their businesses usually on weekends.

Bryan White (C) with singers Weazel (R) and King Michael

 
Support to public and entertainment industry

Brian White's interest in the music industry first came into play when he gave Radio and Weasel a cash prize of sh10m in appreciation for their 10-year journey in the music industry.

He was also instrumental during the treatment and death of Radio.

It is reported that he offered sh25m towards the medical bills and sh5m as motivation for the doctor who was treating the late Radio. White also contributed sh10m for the public address system, stage tents and chairs, among other things during the funeral.

White is also said to be working on the unfinished house that Radio was building for his mother, Jane Kasubo. There is also a structure being elevated to shelter Radio's grave. According to the family, all construction has been sponsored by Bryan White.

To the public, White has continued to offer cash for business; especially to the youth. He has occasionally been heard discouraging the youth from begging and asked them to focus on starting their own small businesses.

It is alleged that he recently launched a foundation dubbed Bryan White foundation where he supports the needy.