KAMPALA, Uganda — What began as an investigation into a gas explosion at the Kyamula home of socialite Brian Kirumira, widely known as Bryan White, has rapidly escalated into a sensational murder probe, intertwining celebrity, wealth, and suggestions of the occult.
The victim, 25-year-old Caroline Nalubwama, died at Kiruddu hospital last week after being rushed from Kirumira’s residence. Initial reports circulated the account of a fatal gas cylinder explosion. However, inconsistencies quickly emerged.
Upon arrival at the mortuary, Nalubwama’s body reportedly showed no burn marks, only blood visible from her nose, immediately leading her family to reject the official narrative. Her father, Ssalongo Tom Mutyaba, directly contradicted the gas explosion story:
“Bryan White called me himself,” he told reporters. “He said my daughter had been killed by the gods while she was being treated in the shrine. He calls himself a witch doctor, so, these stories about gas are lies.”
Investigation deepens and shrines confirmed
Police have intensified the investigation, transferring the case from Katwe to the Nateete division, which possesses greater forensic capabilities and a dedicated CCTV command center.
According to Kampala Metropolitan Deputy Police spokesperson Luke Owoyesigyire, detectives are now meticulously examining CCTV footage and physical evidence to establish the exact sequence of events that led to the death.
“The circumstances that led to this death are still under investigation,” Owoyesigyire said at a press briefing in Naguru. “The prime suspect is still hospitalized but remains a person of high interest. We’re yet to confirm whether the cause was gas, fuel, or something else.”
When questioned by reporters about rumors of ritual sites, Owoyesigyire confirmed that officers had indeed located structures on the premises:
“Yes, there are such structures,” he said carefully. “But we cannot yet confirm their purpose.”
The discovery of grass-thatched structures, suspected to be shrines, discreetly tucked behind the mansion has given the already tragic case a chilling undertone, amplifying public intrigue in a city where whispers of witchcraft often surround the powerful elite.
The celebrity’s troubled history
For years, Bryan White has embodied a specific kind of flashy, controversial success in Kampala—a self-styled philanthropist known for throwing wads of cash and boasting of political connections.
His career has been marked by repeated legal trouble:
- In 2017, he was charged with attempted murder after allegedly shooting his neighbor, though the case was later dropped.
- In 2020, he was arrested again, facing fraud charges and unpaid debts, including the alleged fraudulent acquisition of a luxury car.
Each scandal failed to fully break his image of untouchability, an aura built on a mix of celebrity, money, and mystique.
Also Read: Police probe Bryan White over mysterious death of woman at his Kampala home
However, the current probe, due to its tragic nature and the disturbing suggestion of the occult, feels different.
The once-glorified “Bryan White Foundation” has fallen silent, and the police tape now flutters behind the gates that once hosted lavish parties. For Caroline Nalubwama’s family, the desire remains simple, as expressed quietly by her father: “We just want the truth. That’s all.”
As Kampala debates whether the death was a ritual gone wrong or a terrible domestic accident, the investigation has become a national fixation, touching on sensitive nerves regarding class, power, and the uneasy mix of faith and fear in Uganda’s public life.
