MASINDI - Martin Kipsanga alias Chesebe the prime suspect in the murder of  Dr. Jino Abiriga has been extradited to Masindi.

A source at Masindi police station told the New Vision online that Kipsanga was extradited on Friday morning and he was to be taken to the scene of crime to reconstruct the scene.

On Wednesday, Kipsanga in the company of Betty Cherotich widow of the deceased Doctor was taken to the scene of crime amidst tight security.

The media was barred from accessing the scene.

Dr. Abiringa, the Masindi acting district health officer was murdered on Sunday, January 7, 2024, and his body was dumped in the neighbour's compound. 

On Wednesday (May 1st)  huge crowds gathered at Masindi Central Police Station to see the suspected criminals as they were being taken to the scene but the compound was sealed off by Police and soldiers deployed by UPDF officers.

Kipsanga 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 which was dispatched from the directorate of crime intelligence in Kampala in collaboration with criminal investigations detectives.

Upon his arrest, Kipsanga reportedly told security that Cherotich hired him and his colleague at large to kill her husband and promised to give them shs1m.

He added that they had received a deposit of sh sh 500,000 and they were promised to be given the balance after executing the mission.

Abiriga's murder

The murder led to the arrest of the widow and three of Abiriga's children on the same day after blood stains were found in late Abiriga's house in Kijura North Central Division, Masindi Municipality.

Abiriga's body was found about 50 metres away from his home with a deep cut on the neck, back and abdomen.

The widow of murdered acting Masindi district health officer Dr Jino Abiriga, Betty Cherotich was on Thursday, January 11, 2024, brought to Selsa Biwanga Masindi grade one magistrate's chambers to record an extrajudicial statement.

 She was brought amidst tight security to prevent the public from pouncing on her. The media too was barred from court.

A source at the court told New Vision Online 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.

Children released

Police have also released the late Abiriga’s children who had been arrested in connection with their father’s death.

The three were arrested together with their stepmother Cherotich, 31 and her two biological children in connection with the gruesome murder.

The six have been in custody at Masindi Police Station helping Police investigations into the matter.

Speaking to New Vision Online, Albertine Police region spokesperson Julius Allan Hakiza said the children who are all minors, were released to allow them to bury their father after being cleared of any role in their father’s death.

 "However, Cherotich and her two children who were found mopping the blood in the deceased’s house are still under Police custody for more interrogation into the deceased’s murder. We are going to send the case file to the resident state attorney for perusal and legal advice and they will take the suspects to court once the file is sanctioned," he said.