Deceased Dr. Abiriga’s Wife Implicated in Attempted Murder of Co-Wife

The second prime suspect in the murder of Dr. Abiriga Jino has been apprehended.

The suspect Namureng Joshna, 36, a builder from Tarobya village, Amanang sub-county in Bukwo, was taken into custody, bringing the total number of suspects to three.

The suspects, including Cherotic Betty (31), the wife of the deceased, and Kipsang Martin alias Chesebe (34), a carpenter from Roruk village, Amanang sub-county, are alleged to have conspired and carried out the murder of Dr. Abiriga.

Fred Enanga, the police spokesman says preliminary findings by police show that the plot to murder Dr. Abiriga originated when Cherotic discovered her husband’s second relationship with one Atuhura Suzan in Masindi. The deceased’s wife is alleged to have attacked the husband’s lover by initially attempting to set her house on fire unsuccessful.

It is further revealed that after several threats to Atuhura, Cherotic hired Kipsang for Ugx 2.5 million to assist in the murder of Atuhura. The first attempt on December 11, 2023, failed, leading to a second unsuccessful attempt on December 18, 2023, as Atuhura did not appear at the expected location.

“The suspect Kipsang travelled to Masindi, after receiving a deposit of Ugx 500,000= , to kill Atuhura Suzan. The murder plot failed, on the 18.12.2023, after the intended victim, failed to appear at the location, that they expected her to be.” says Enanga

Frustrated by the failed attempts on Atuhura’s life, Cherotic turned her anger to kill the husband, whom she blamed for the death of their firstborn, the miscarriage of their twins, and alleged insults regarding her sexual performance. The couple had been living together since 2019, with a 9-month-old baby following the loss of their firstborn and the miscarriage of twins.

Cherotic later asked her accomplice Kipsang to find another person to help in the murder of  Abiriga and she was led to Namureng Joshua. On December 26, 2023, Kipsang, along with Namureng , attempted to execute the plan, but the doctor husband awoke and closed the door, thwarting their efforts.

“Kipsang together with Namureng came to accomplish their mission, which failed after the Doctor, wake up and closed the door, after hearing some strange sounds outside. The had been left open. The two contract killers returned to Bukwo, and returned on the 6.01.2024, after much pressure from Chesang, for them to execute their mission.” he added

On that fateful day,  the assailants, armed with sticks and a knife, successfully murdered Dr. Abiriga in his sleep and all the three suspects disposed of the body50 meters away from home.

The suspects again returned to Bukwo, and after pressure from Cherotic, they revisited Masindi, staying at Valentine Guest House. They dumped the blood-stained clothes in a pit latrine before leaving the municipality at 5:30 am.

Enanga says all three suspects have confessed to their involvement in the murder.

Both Kipsang  and Namureng  were tracked down, arrested from Bukwo and transferred to Masindi, for further court action. Several tangible exhibits were recovered, which include; two hoe handle were recovered from Bulyasojo cell, shoes of the deceased, black sports bag, clothes of the suspect, a bag retrieved from the latrine with a pillow cover, mopping rug, work ID for the deceased, and other blood stained clothes. All samples were submitted to the Forensic Directorate for further analysis.” he says