On Tuesday, the Masindi Chief Magistrates court remanded three suspects to Hoima government prison in connection with the murder of District Health Officer Dr Jino Abiriga.
The three people who have been placed under arrest as suspects in this case are Betty Cherotich, 31, the late Dr. Abiriga’s wife; Joshua Namureng, 36, a builder who lives in Tarobya Village in the Bukwo area; and Martin Kipsang, 31, a carpenter who lives in Roruk Village.
The murder case against them was preferred, and they were placed under remand.
Dr. Abiriga was brutally murdered on January 7, 2024, by the trio, along with one other person who is still at large, according to testimony presented in court before Masindi Chief Magistrate Kosia Kasibayo.
The late Dr. Abiriga suffered serious injuries to his head, neck, hands, and back.
Around six in the morning, passersby in Kijura North cell, Central division of Masindi municipality, discovered his dead body close to his gate and quickly notified the authorities.
The body was removed by the police as soon as they learned of the horrific incident.
It was first brought to the mortuary of Masindi General Hospital before being sent to Mulago National Referral Hospital for a postmortem examination.
Following a search for the alleged murderers, police and representatives of several security organizations, such as the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence, apprehended the three individuals.
Masindi was the place of arrest for Cherotich, and the Bukwo district was the place of arrest for Namureng and Kipsang.
The culprits were apprehended and sent to the primary police station in Masindi.
Although the deceased’s body was recovered outside the gate, police reported that bloodstains were detected inside his home.
The accused have been sent to Hoima Government Prison until their next court appearance on July 30, 2024, as the magistrate refused to allow them to enter a plea since the court lacked jurisdiction to hear their case.
The prosecution, led by Florence Akello, the Assistant Director for the Midwestern Region of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, informed the court that the case was still pending and asked that the accused be placed under arrest while the investigations were completed.
On Friday of last week, Dr. Abiriga was laid to rest at his ancestral home in Tumvea village, Offude parish Tara sub county, Maracha District.
