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What has happened at the home of Bryan White?
KAMPALA – Authorities have launched a high-stakes investigation into the suspicious death of 25-year-old Caroline Nalubwama, who suffered fatal injuries at the upscale residence of flamboyant socialite Bryan Kirumira, better known as Bryan White, in the Kyamula neighborhood of Makindye Division.
The incident, which unfolded on October 27, 2025, has thrust the once-celebrated philanthropist back into the public eye amid allegations of foul play, timeline discrepancies, and a scene that investigators describe as potentially staged. Preliminary probes point to a suspected gas explosion, but mounting evidence suggests deeper complexities, including minimal fire damage and conflicting accounts of events.
Nalubwama, a Kampala-based socialite known in some circles as “Bennita,” was rushed to Kiruddu National Referral Hospital following the blast but was pronounced dead shortly after arrival, with hospital records listing the time of death at approximately 4:30 p.m. Her grieving father, 52-year-old Tom Mutyaba, wasted no time in alerting authorities, filing a report at Katwe Police Station that same evening around 9:00 p.m., which triggered the swift opening of inquiry file DEF 73/2025.
What You Need to Know
- Victim: Caroline Nalubwama, 25, a city socialite who resided in one of the rooms at Bryan White’s compound.
- Incident: Suspected gas explosion on October 27, 2025, at Bryan White’s home in Kyamula, Makindye Division, Kampala.
- Outcome: Nalubwama died from severe burns and injuries at Kiruddu Hospital; Bryan White, also injured, is under treatment and police guard at Mildmay Hospital.
- Investigation Status: Homicide probe underway with forensic analysis; discrepancies in timelines and scene evidence raising suspicions of tampering.
The Incident Unfolds
Eyewitness accounts and initial police logs paint a chaotic picture of the afternoon of October 27. According to official records, the explosion occurred around 3:30 p.m. in a room separate from where Nalubwama was staying, yet she emerged with devastating burns covering much of her body. Bryan White, who was present at the time, claimed the blast happened later, around 7:00 p.m.—a full three hours after the hospital’s recorded time of death—a inconsistency that has detectives scrutinizing his narrative closely.
Fire and forensic teams descended on the scene shortly after Mutyaba’s report, recovering charred clothing fragments and singed curtains as key exhibits. Strikingly, however, the room itself bore little evidence of a full-scale blaze, fueling speculation that the explosion narrative may not fully align with the physical findings. Adding an eerie layer, investigators noted multiple traditional shrines scattered throughout the heavily fortified compound, which is patrolled by military police, prompting questions about the environment in which the tragedy occurred.
Nalubwama’s body was transported to the City Mortuary at Mulago for a comprehensive post-mortem, the results of which could provide crucial insights into whether her injuries stemmed solely from a gas mishap or involved other factors.
Police Launch Thorough Inquiry
Kampala Metropolitan Police deputy spokesperson Luke Owoyesigyire emphasized the gravity of the case during a briefing on Wednesday, stating that a multidisciplinary team—including homicide detectives, forensic specialists, and fire experts—has been mobilized to leave no stone unturned. “We have retrieved CCTV footage from the area to help us establish the true sequence of events,” Owoyesigyire told reporters, underscoring the role of surveillance in piecing together the timeline.
Bryan White, 32, remains in custody at Mildmay Hospital in Lweza, Wakiso District, where he is recuperating from his own injuries—a sliced head from the lower jaw, a deep incision above his right eye, and a shattered skull, per medical reports. Officers have secured his statement and issued a PF3 medical form to document his wounds, but sources indicate he is under constant guard as the probe intensifies. Police have not ruled out charging him with murder, with whispers of a possible homicide classification circulating among investigators.
The force has issued a public appeal for tips, urging anyone with knowledge of the lead-up to Nalubwama’s death to contact Katwe Police Station confidentially.
Who Is Bryan White?
Bryan Kirumira’s rise to notoriety began in 2017, when he burst onto Uganda’s social scene as the founder of the Bryan White Foundation, a flashy initiative that doled out cash handouts to youth groups and underprivileged communities, earning him the moniker “moneybag” and a legion of admirers. His opulent lifestyle—marked by luxury vehicles, high-profile parties, and a formidable security entourage—cemented his status as Kampala’s ultimate showman.
Yet, White’s star has dimmed in recent years amid a cascade of scandals. Arrested multiple times on charges ranging from assault and fraud to unlawful firearm possession, he has faced court battles that stripped away much of his public sheen. Since then, he has retreated to a more subdued existence, occasionally surfacing on social media or at discreet gatherings. This latest entanglement has reignited debates over the opaque origins of his wealth and the shadowy influences that once shielded him.
A Pattern of Gas Perils in the Capital
Nalubwama’s demise is a stark reminder of the lurking hazards of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in Uganda’s bustling households. Just last October, a cylinder explosion at an oxygen plant in Rubaga Division claimed two lives, including that of an Indian national, highlighting systemic lapses in handling and storage.
The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) pins the blame for most such tragedies on user error or subpar supplier practices, repeatedly issuing advisories on leak detection, proper ventilation, and certified equipment. As Kampala grapples with rising LPG adoption for its convenience, experts call for stricter enforcement to avert future heartbreak.
As the fog lifts on this tragic puzzle, Kampala Edge Times will continue monitoring developments, ensuring transparency in the pursuit of justice for Caroline Nalubwama and her family.
