Published on 14/11/2025
Kampala socialite Bryan Kirumira also known as Bryan White, has been formally charged with human sacrifice, manslaughter and several related offences following the death of 25 year old Carol Nalubwama, who allegedly sustained fatal burn injuries at his Kyamula residence in Makindye Division.
Although Bryan White is listed as the lead suspect on the charge sheet, he did not appear in court on Thursday when the charges were read to his co-accused. His wife, Daisy Nalunga, along with Daphine Abaho, Naava Nakato and Joyce Irene Nambalirwa, appeared before Grade One Magistrate Teddy Nakawuki at the Makindye Chief Magistrates Court, where the charges were formally read out by the court clerk.
Magistrate Nakawuki subsequently remanded the accused to Luzira Prison until December 18, 2025, when the case will return before Chief Magistrate Sarah Basemera for the formal reading of charges.
“The accused persons are hereby remanded until December 18, 2025, when they will appear before the Chief Magistrate for mention of the case,” ruled Nakawuki.
According to the charge sheet, the suspects face at least seven counts, including human sacrifice, manslaughter, rash and negligent acts, possession of narcotics, conspiracy to commit a felony, and giving false information to police officers.
The prosecution alleges that on October 22, 2025, at Kyamula Zone in Makindye Division, Bryan White killed Carol Nalubwama “for the purpose of performing or furthering witchcraft, ritual, or other unlawful purposes,” contrary to the Prevention and Prohibition of Human Sacrifice Act.
In a separate count, Kirumira is accused of manslaughter, with the state asserting that between October 22 and 27, 2025, he unlawfully caused Nalubwama’s death by burning her and later transferring her to Kiruddu Hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries.
Kirumira also faces one count of rash and negligent acts, allegedly for failing to take precautions against the danger posed by combustible materials in his possession. Police further charged him with illegal possession of marijuana, after narcotic substances were reportedly recovered from his residence.
Nalunga, Abaho, and Nakato were jointly charged with conspiracy to commit a felony. The prosecution contends that on October 22, 2025, the trio conspired with Kirumira to commit a ritual murder, by allegedly setting fire to candle wax while massaging the victim’s body with petrol and ghee as they took honey.
The trio, together with Kirumira, also face charges of giving false information to police, allegedly misleading officers at Mildmay Uganda Hospital, Katwe Police Station, and Kampala Metropolitan South Headquarters.
Investigators say the group falsely claimed that Nalubwama was burnt on October 27, yet evidence shows she sustained the injuries on October 22 and was initially treated at M. Mabirizi Nursing Home.
Joyce Irene Nambalirwa, aged 41, and an administrator at M. Mabirizi Nursing Home, was separately charged with manslaughter and causing death through a rash and negligent act. The prosecution alleges that between October 22 and 27, Nambalirwa negligently handled Nalubwama’s treatment and failed to refer her to a main hospital, leading to her death.
Investigations Reveal Discrepancies
Preliminary police investigations indicate that Nalubwama died at Kiruddu Hospital after sustaining severe burn injuries at Bryan White’s home. Kirumira reportedly told detectives that the injuries were caused by a gas cylinder explosionwhile the deceased was cooking.
However, family members disputed this account, alleging foul play and claiming that Nalubwama’s death was ritual-related.
Her father, Ssalongo Tom Mutyaba, reportedly told police that Bryan White personally called to inform him of his daughter’s death, claiming she had died while being treated at a shrine.
Detectives who later visited Kirumira’s residence allegedly discovered grass-thatched structures suspected to be shrines within the compound, further deepening suspicions of ritual involvement.
The courtroom was gripped with tension as graphic details of the alleged ritual killing were read out. Relatives of the deceased, journalists, and onlookers filled the courtroom as the magistrate read the charges, with visible distress among family members as prosecution recounted the events leading to Nalubwama’s death.
The state maintains that the accused persons acted with criminal intent, while investigations continue to establish the full circumstances surrounding the young woman’s death.
The case will next be mentioned on December 18, 2025, before Chief Magistrate Sarah Basemera at the Makindye Chief Magistrates Court.
