Betty Cherotich, the widow of the murdered acting Masindi district health officer, Dr. Jino Abiriga, appeared before Masindi Grade One Magistrate Selsa Biwanga to record an extrajudicial statement. The statement, made out-of-court, is a significant development in the investigation into the heinous murder.
Dr. Jino Abiriga was killed on January 7, 2024, with his body found dumped in a neighbor’s compound. The murder prompted the arrest of the widow and three of Abiriga’s children on the same day, following the discovery of blood stains in the late Abiriga’s house in Masindi Municipality.
Cherotich, brought to court on the evening of January 12, 2024, faced tight security measures to prevent potential attacks from the public. The media was also restricted from the court proceedings. According to sources, Cherotich has allegedly confessed to participating in the crime.
In a parallel development, the joint security team arrested Martin Kipsanga Aka Chesebe in Bukwo district, who was allegedly hired to carry out the murder. The late Abiriga’s children, who were initially detained, have been released to allow them to attend their father’s burial.
Albertine Police region spokesperson Julius Allan Hakiza clarified that the released children, being minors, were cleared of any involvement in their father’s death. However, Cherotich and her two children, implicated in cleaning the blood in the deceased’s house, remain in police custody for further interrogation. The case file will be sent to the resident state attorney for review, and legal proceedings will follow once sanctioned.
Dr. Jino Abiriga is scheduled to be laid to rest in Tumvia Village, Ofude parish, Tara sub-county in Maracha district.
