Police in Masindi have arrested the wife of the district health officer, Dr.Jino Abiriga who was brutally murdered by unknown assailants on Sunday night.
Dr.Abiriga, 58 was murdered and the body dumped near his neighbours’ home in an incident that has shocked residents in Masindi.
According to police , facts so far gathered indicate that earlier in the day, the victim left his home in the morning, to attend a friend’s wedding, after which his driver dropped him at home at around 9pm.
“At around 10pm, he and his wife, Cherotic Betty, went to sleep in their double roomed house. Their children and dependently who included; Aseru Angela aged 17 (daughter to the deceased); Cherotic Maureen, aged 14 (step daughter), Cheprotich Kenneth, aged 11 (step – son), Afakoru Jackline, aged 12, (niece), and Arinaitwe Desire, aged 8 (daughter to his family friend), also went to sleep in their separate unit. The units are enclosed in a fence,” Fred Enanga, the police spokesperson said on Monday.
He said that under unclear circumstances, Dr.Abiriga’s body was later found dumped 50 meters away from his home in the morning with a cut on the neck, multiple others on the head and hand.
Enanga said investigations into the matter begun.
“ An immediate search was conducted at the premises of the deceased, and suspected blood stains recovered from the walls in the bedroom and from under their marital bed,” he said.
According to Enanga, when interrogated, the deceased’s wife told police that the doctor had been called by someone on phone to go and carry out an operation and that he never returned home.
Meanwhile, the children were also interrogated by police and their statements were contradicting with what the wife told police.
Police also interrogated the wife about the blood stains found under the couple’s marital bed and her explanation was unsatisfactory.
“She claims the blood stains from her bedroom, were from her menstrual cycle,” Enanga said.
He said these contradictions forced police to arrest the 31 year old teacher to aid in the ongoing investigations.
“Our team of forensic experts, recovered blood stains and other samples for forensic analysis that will help establish, whether the victim was murdered from his house or elsewhere and the body dumped near his home,”Enanga said.
“We wish to inform the public, that no matter how well, a cover up is made surrounding the heinous act, we will uncover the truth.”
