Slain Masindi DHO laid to rest, prime suspect extradited to Masindi
Upon his arrest, Kipsanga reportedly told security that it was Cherotich who hired him and his colleague at large to kill her husband and promised to give them Shs1 million.
By Our Reporter
Maracha: The former Acting Masindi District Health Officer (DHO), Dr. Jino Abiriga, has been laid to rest this afternoon at his ancestral home in Tumvia village, Tara Sub County, Maracha district, in the West Nile subregion.
The lifeless body of Dr. Abiriga was discovered on Sunday, January 7, 2024, a few meters from his residence in Kijura North Cell, Central Division, Masindi Municipality.
At exactly 4:31 p.m., the casket containing the remains of Dr. Abiriga was lowered into the grave for the final resting.
While addressing mourners, Wilson Afedra, the deceased’s brother, asked security to thoroughly investigate the matter and ensure the culprits were held accountable.
‘’Our brother didn’t even feel sick; we were saddened to hear that he had been killed. The manner in which he was murdered is so brutal; we are therefore appealing to security to investigate the matter and ensure the culprits have been arrested,’’ he said.
The Deputy Resident District Commissioner for Maracha, Monica Koliba Kotevu, advised women to desist from acts of murdering their husbands but get amicable ways of solving their grievances.
‘’Women, our roles are honorable, but we are moving from that identity; if this is the track we are taking, it’s very shameful to this country. Let’s change,’’ she advised.
Jennifer Driwaru, the woman Member of Parliament representing Maracha district, said they had lost Abiriga at the time they needed him most. ‘’He has died at a time we needed him most. Abiriga had an impact on our community, and I don’t think we shall replace him,’’ he decried.
She also asked parents to emulate Abiriga’s legacy and educate their children, noting that it’s the only gift they can give their children.
‘’People have come here because Abiriga was educated, humble, hardworking, and social to the community. Parents, the only gift you can give to your children is education,’’ she said.
The Masindi District Resident District Commissioner, Emmy Ngabirano, assured the mourners that the deceased will get justice because all security agencies, including the ISO, CMI crime intelligence, and CID, are working as a team.
The prime suspect was extradited to Masindi.
Martin Kipsang, alias Chesebe, the prime suspect in the murder of Masindi acting district health officer Dr. Jino Abiriga, has been extradited to Masindi.
A source at Masindi police station told ugreports.co.ug that Kipsang was extradited on Friday morning, and he was to be taken to the scene of the crime to reconstruct the scene.
Betty Cherotich, a window to the deceased Dr. Abiriga, and Kipsang were seen being taken to the scene of the crime at about 1:30 p.m. amidst tight security.
The media was barred from covering the event.
Hundreds of the residents gathered at Masindi central police station to be able to see the suspected criminals as they were being taken to the scene, but they never got that chance since they were dispatched by police and UPDF officers.
Kipsang was arrested by the joint security team on Thursday morning, January 11, 2024, at Roko village, Kibulwo parish, Amananga sub-county, Bukwo district.
The arrest was executed by a flying squad team that was dispatched from the directorate of crime intelligence in Kampala in collaboration with criminal investigations detectives.
Upon his arrest, Kipsanga reportedly told security that it was Cherotich who hired him and his colleague at large to kill her husband and promised to give them Shs1 million.
He added that they had received a deposit of Shs500,000, and they were promised to be given the balance after executing the mission.
On Thursday, January 11, 2024, Cherotich was brought to Selsa Biwanga Masindi’s grade one magistrate’s chambers to record an extrajudicial statement.
She was brought in amid tight security to prevent the public from pouncing on her. The media, too, was barred from court.
A source at the court told this publication that she was brought clandestinely due to fear of an attack from the mob.
A source also noted that she has allegedly confessed to having participated in the heinous act.
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