Dr Abiriga's killers plead for leniency ahead of sentencing

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After 20 months in prison, Betty Cherotich, the wife of the late Dr Jino Abiriga, together with Martin Kipsanga and Joshua Namurenge, who are accused of gruesomely murdering the former acting Masindi district health officer, are set to be sentenced on Tuesday, September 23, 2025.

Justice Mary Babirye had initially planned to sentence the trio on Monday, September 22, 2025, after they pleaded guilty on September 11. Following their plea, Justice Babirye convicted them of murder.

However, she reconsidered her decision after giving each of the convicts a chance to make personal statements before sentencing.

Court was heavily attended by community members, relatives and media, who had expected the verdict to be delivered on Monday.

Betty Cherotich (in front) being escorted to the waiting cell after appearing in court. (Photo by Yosam Gucwaki)

"I can see the feel of the people in court, but I couldn't give a sentence without hearing from them individually. Court will give its sentence after considering their submissions. If there was time, I would give the sentence today," said Justice Babirye.

The trio speaks

When given the opportunity, Betty Cherotich, accused of masterminding her husband’s death, apologised to the deceased, his relatives and the Masindi community for her actions, saying she acted out of anger.

"I did it out of anger, and I pray for forgiveness. I am a widow and I left behind children who need to be cared for," she said, pleading for leniency from the court.

Kipsanga also asked for forgiveness, claiming his involvement had not been of his own will.

"I regret what I did. It wasn't out of my will. I pray the public and the deceased to forgive me," he appealed, adding that it was his first time committing such an offence.

Namurenge similarly asked the judge for forgiveness, insisting his actions were not of his own will.

Charlotte Nanziri, the resident state attorney in Masindi, requested that the late Dr Abiriga’s first son, Ronald Arubaku, be allowed to address the court, which Justice Babirye granted.

Arubaku urged court to hand down the maximum sentence, saying the family had lost its breadwinner.

"We lost the biggest ship in the ocean, which we shall not recover. We were deeply hurt. As a family, we lost a tree that would bring food. It was uprooted with all its roots. It's hard for the family to sustain itself because of our father's death. Hand them a maximum sentence," he said.

Silas Akuma late Dr Jino Abiriga's elder brother chating with Arubaku Abiriga's first son. (Photo by Yosam Gucwaki)

Silas Akuma Anua, Dr Abiriga’s elder brother, also called for the maximum sentence, noting that the family remained traumatised.

"I request court to stand on its core values of integrity, independence and impartiality and hand these people a maximum sentence because they killed a hero who is irreplaceable. Masindi, Maracha, Arua districts and the nation lost a hero who won't be replaced," he said.

Dr Abiriga’s body was discovered 50 metres from his Kijura North home on January 7, 2024, bearing multiple deep cuts to the neck and abdominal injuries.

A plot forged in jealousy and blood

Prosecution, led by Charlotte Nanziri, on September 11, 2025, submitted that Cherotich’s motive stemmed from marital strife and suspicions of infidelity.

According to prosecution, she first plotted to kill her husband’s mistress, Susan Atuhuura, by setting her house on fire, but neighbours extinguished the blaze.

On December 11, 2023, she allegedly hired contract killer Martin Kipsanga for sh2.5m. A week later, she paid him sh500,000 to eliminate Susan, but the plan failed when Susan did not appear.

Undeterred, Cherotich redirected her anger towards Dr Abiriga, accusing him of causing their firstborn’s death, two miscarriages, and insulting her "sexual performance."

On December 26, 2023, Kipsanga and Namurenge attempted to kill Dr Abiriga but failed when he awoke and locked the door Cherotich had left open.

The fatal night

On January 6, 2024, the trio booked a room at Valentine’s Guest House. That night, Cherotich allegedly alerted her accomplices through a message that her husband was asleep. They found the gate open and led him into the bedroom, attacked him with the handle of a hoe before slitting his throat.

After dragging the body 50 metres away and changing into new clothes, they cleaned the crime scene and disposed of evidence in the guest house latrine before fleeing to Bukwo district at dawn.

Evidence

Prosecution said Police recovered shoes belonging to the deceased, bloodstained clothing, and forensic samples from Bulyasojo cell. A bag retrieved from the guest house latrine contained a pillow cover, mop, Abiriga’s work ID, and other bloodstained clothes.

A search of Kipsanga’s home in Bukwo district yielded more bloodstained shoes and jackets. Analysis confirmed the blood matched that of the deceased.

Nanziri noted that upon arrest, the three admitted their crime and recorded extrajudicial statements.

After presenting sufficient evidence, Justice Babirye asked the accused if they accepted the prosecution’s case, which they did.

Nanziri prayed for the harshest punishment, saying such offences are rampant and must be deterred.

"This offence is serious in nature, attracting a death penalty. This left a traumatic experience for his family. There was an attempt to conceal evidence, and the deceased got threats from his wife," she said.

She added that Dr Abiriga was a respected doctor providing essential health services, and his death would impact both the family and the nation.

However, defence counsel Harriet Ajok pleaded for leniency, arguing the accused had shown remorse, cooperated with the court, and had no prior criminal record.

"It's not easy for a suspect of that calibre to plead guilty, but they have done so. They are remorseful and they were cooperative. They have not wasted court's time. They have no previous criminal record. I pray that you look into the level of participation of each individual while giving a sentence," she said.