By Kabuye Ronald
High drama gripped Makindye Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, after a visibly frail socialite Bryan White real name Brian Kirumira was wheeled into the Chief Magistrate’s chambers to face grave criminal charges arising from the death of a 25-year-old woman at his residence.
According to police and prosecution filings, Kirumira is accused of human sacrifice and manslaughter, charges that have triggered national shock and intense public scrutiny since the woman’s mysterious death surfaced earlier this month.
But the day’s biggest surprise came when Chief Magistrate Sarah Basemera abruptly ordered a full media blackout, barring all journalists from accessing her chambers. Basemera directed court officers to lock the doors behind her, entering the chambers only with Kirumira, a limited team of police officers, and the deceased’s father.
The unannounced shutdown left reporters stunned in the courthouse corridor, with many questioning the unusual level of secrecy surrounding what is now one of the country’s most closely watched criminal cases.
Inside the closed-door session, the prosecution formally read the charges to Kirumira, who appeared weak and uncomfortable as he sat in his wheelchair, sources said. Following the brief proceedings, the Chief Magistrate remanded the socialite further until 18 December.
Kirumira is co accused with his wife, Daisy Nalunga, along with Daphine Abaho, Naava Nakato, and Joyce Irene Nambalirwa, who appeared before Grade One Magistrate Teddy Nakawuki at the Makindye Chief Magistrates Court, on Thursday last week.
