Bryan White granted bail after 293 days on remand
Justice Paul Gadenya Wolimbwa ordered Kirumira’s release on September 4, 2026, after finding that he had met the constitutional requirements for mandatory bail.
Bryan White leaving Makindye Chief Magistrates Court after his Human sacrifice case was adjourned to April 16, 2026. (Photos by Barbara Kabahumuza.)
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The High Court in Kampala has granted socialite Bryan Kirumira, alias Bryan White, mandatory bail after he spent 293 days on remand without being committed to the High Court for trial.
Justice Paul Gadenya Wolimbwa ordered Kirumira’s release on September 4, 2026, after finding that he had met the constitutional requirements for mandatory bail.
Kirumira is the first accused in a case before the Makindye Chief Magistrate’s Court, where he is jointly charged with his wife, Naava Nakato; Daisy Nalunga; advocacy officer Daphine Abaho; and Joyce Irene Nambalirwa, an administrator of Mukyala Mabirizi Nursing Home.
The charges include human sacrifice, manslaughter, rash and negligent acts, possession of a narcotic drug, conspiracy to commit a felony and giving false information.
Kirumira was arrested on November 13, 2025, and had been remanded at Upper Prison, Luzira.
In his application, Kirumira told the High Court that he had been detained for more than the 180 days allowed under Article 23(6)(c) of the Constitution for a person facing an offence triable only by the High Court.
He also told court that he had suffered severe burn wounds on his thighs and feet, including a wound on his left thigh following skin grafting.
Kirumira further said he had a fixed place of abode in Badongo village, Salaama parish, Makindye division, Kampala district, and would not abscond if released.
The prosecution opposed the application, arguing that Kirumira was a flight risk because of the gravity of the charges, including human sacrifice, which attracts a maximum sentence of death.
The State also argued that his release could interfere with investigations, prosecution evidence and witnesses, including his co-accused.
The prosecution questioned the suitability of his proposed sureties and argued that Kirumira had not sufficiently proved his fixed place of abode.
However, Justice Wolimbwa ruled that the Constitution provides for mandatory release where a person charged with an offence triable only by the High Court has been remanded for 180 days without being committed to the High Court.
The judge found that the human sacrifice charge was punishable by death and was therefore triable only by the High Court.
He noted that Kirumira had been in continuous custody for 293 days and that the 180-day period expired on May 12, 2026.
The court held that after the constitutional period expired without committal, Kirumira was entitled to mandatory bail, leaving the court to set conditions for his release.
Justice Wolimbwa also rejected the prosecution’s argument that Kirumira’s release could interfere with witnesses and investigations, noting that the State had not provided particulars of any witness at risk or any specific threat allegedly made by the accused.
Bail conditions
The court ordered Kirumira to deposit sh10m and provide two substantial sureties, each executing a non-cash bond of sh50m.
The Deputy Registrar of the Criminal Division was directed to vet and approve the sureties before his release.
Kirumira was ordered to reside at a fixed address within the court’s jurisdiction, but not at the Badongo premises, which the prosecution alleges were the scene of the offence.
He was barred from entering the premises without court permission and ordered to surrender his passport and other travel documents.
He was also prohibited from contacting prosecution witnesses, members of the deceased’s family or his co-accused, except in the presence of court.
The court directed him to report to the Makindye Chief Magistrate’s Court according to the existing schedule and, if committed to the High Court, to report to the Deputy Registrar on the first Monday of every month.
The case file was ordered to be returned to the Makindye Chief Magistrate’s Court for further management.
Allegations
The prosecution alleges that on October 22, 2025, at Kyamula Zone in Makindye Division, Kampala, Kirumira killed Nalubwama for purposes of performing or furthering witchcraft, ritual practices or other unlawful acts.
Court heard that between October 22 and 27, 2025, at Kiruddu Hospital in Makindye Division, Kirumira unlawfully caused Nalubwama’s death through burning.
On the charge of rash and negligent acts, the prosecution alleges that Kirumira handled combustible substances and failed to take precautions against probable danger arising from materials in his possession.
He is also accused of being found in possession of marijuana leaves and seeds stored in bottles, which the prosecution alleges were narcotic drugs.
The prosecution further alleges that Kirumira, Nakato, Nalunga and Abaho conspired to commit the alleged ritual murder of Nalubwama.
It is alleged that the four lit candle wax in a room while massaging Nalubwama’s body with a mixture of petrol and ghee as they consumed honey.
They are also accused of knowingly giving false information to Detective Bruce Tumwebaze and Inspector of Police Betty Monica Kyakuwaire at Mildmay Uganda Hospital, Katwe Police Station and Kampala Metropolitan South offices.
According to the prosecution, the accused falsely claimed that Nalubwama sustained burns and was admitted to Kiruddu Hospital, whereas she had allegedly been burnt and admitted to Mabirizi Nursing Home.
The State alleges that the accused knew the information was false and that it misled investigators.
Meanwhile, Nambalirwa is accused of causing Nalubwama’s death by negligently failing to refer her to a major hospital for specialised medical treatment.
The prosecution alleges that her conduct, though not amounting to manslaughter, contributed to Nalubwama’s death.