Police in Masindi have revealed the facts that led to the death of Dr. Jino Abiriga, the District Health Officer (DHO) in Masindi.

In a statement made on January 15, 2024, SCP Enanga Fred, the police spokesperson, said that the plot to murder the deceased began after Betty Cherotic learned about a second relationship her husband, the DHO, had with Suzan Atuhura in Masindi.

According to Enanga, Cherotic, the first wife of the DHO, started hatching a plan to kill Atuhura, which began with setting her house on fire; however, it was put out by the neighbors.

“On December 11, 2023, Cherotic hired Martin Kipsang at a cost of Ugx 2.5 million to help her kill her co-wife, and on December 18, 2023, Kipsang traveled to Masindi after receiving a deposit of Ugx 500,000 to kill Atuhura, a plot that failed after the intended victim failed to appear at the location that they expected her to be,” Enanga added.

Enanga claimed that after two failed murder plans against her co-wife, Cherotic plotted to murder her husband, whom he accused of the loss of their firstborn, miscarriage of their twins, and sexually degrading her on a regular basis.

He added that she then rehired Kipsang, together with Joshua Namureng, to help murder her husband, which they attempted to do on December 26, 2023, and failed after the DHO woke up and closed the door that had been left open by his wife upon hearing some movements outside.

According to Enanga, the two contract killers returned to Masindi at around midday on January 6, 2024, to execute their mission and booked in at Valentine Guest House.

“Cherotic invited the suspects, who were armed with two huge hoe handles and a knife, to the house when her husband was deep asleep. She led them through the gate that she had earlier opened to the bedroom, where her husband was sleeping,” Enanga said.

“They hit the victim with a hand hoe stick on the head, dragging the body to the floor, where they slit his throat with a knife, killing him instantly. The 3 suspects cleaned the dead body, dressed it in a red T-shirt and blue trouser, carried it on a small ladder, and dumped it 50 meters away from his home,” Enanga added.

Upon arrest, the suspects admitted to having participated in the murder, and the scenes were reconstructed. Several tangible exhibits were recovered, which included two hoe handles that were recovered from Bulyasojo cell, shoes of the deceased, a black sports bag, clothes that belonged to the suspect, a bag retrieved from the latrine with a pillow cover, a mopping rug, a work ID for the deceased, and other blood-stained clothes.

The samples were submitted to the Police Forensic Directorate for further analysis.