Bryan White granted mandatory bail after 293 days on remand

What the report says

Kampala socialite Bryan Kirumira, better known as Bryan White, has been granted mandatory bail by the High Court after spending 293 days in custody without being committed for trial. The ruling, delivered on Friday by Justice Gadenya Paul Wolimbwa, found that Kirumira had stayed beyond the 180-day limit set for an accused person facing an offence triable only by the High Court.

Kirumira is jointly charged with four others before the Makindye Chief Magistrate’s Court on six counts, including human sacrifice, manslaughter, rash and negligent acts, possession of a narcotic drug, conspiracy to commit a felony and giving false information. The prosecution says the case involves the death of 25-year-old Caroline Nalubwama in Makindye Division, though the allegations have not been tested in court. Prosecutors had opposed release, saying the charges were serious and that he could flee or interfere with witnesses and evidence.

The judge said the constitutional right to mandatory bail could not be overridden by the seriousness of the allegations once the legal time limit had expired. He also drew a distinction between mandatory and discretionary bail, noting that the court’s role at that stage is to set conditions to secure attendance and protect the case.

Those conditions include a cash deposit of Shs 10 million, two substantial sureties, surrender of travel documents, a ban on leaving Uganda without permission, and restrictions on contacting witnesses, the deceased’s family or co-accused. Kirumira must also live at an approved address and continue reporting to court as required. The ruling is notable because it comes amid a case involving ritual and criminal allegations that remain unresolved, with the accused still presumed innocent.