Masindi: Four relatives detained over DHO Abiriga’s death

Masindi, (UG):- Police in Masindi are holding in custody four family members to help with investigations into the death of their father, the late Dr Jino Abiriga, the District Health Officer for Masindi District.

Julius Allan Hakiza, the Albertine Regional Police Spokesperson confirmed this report and said the four are children of the late who were arrested after blood stains were found inside the house yet the body was dumped in the neighbour’s compound.

“We have four of his children because when we were doing our search, we established that there were blood stains in the house. They have been arrested to help us in the investigations,” Mr Hakiza noted

“We want to find out why there were blood stains in the house because the body was a few meters away from the home. How come that blood stains were in the house? We can’t say that they’re the ones who murdered their father, but we want them to help us in the investigations,” he added.

The four suspects according to Hakiza are currently held at Masindi CPS as investigations continue in the suspected homicide case.

Dr Jino Abiriga who was also a surgeon at Masindi Hospital, was found dead in a neighbour’s compound with a cut to his neck and abdomen in Kijura North, Central Division, Masindi Municipality.

The incident happened on Sunday, January 07, with eyewitnesses saying he could have been murdered somewhere else and the body dumped in his neighbour’s compound since the scene had few blood droplets at the scene.

According to Kijura North Village LC1 Chairperson, Simon Peter, one of the relatives revealed to authorities how Abiriga was called to go to the hospital to work on someone but never returned.

“I was surprised to be informed that Abiriga’s body was lying in the neighbour’s compound. I have stayed with him in my village but I have never heard that he had a conflict,” says Simon Peter.

By the time of his death, Abiriga in his mid-50s had spent about two years serving as an acting DHO and was also working as a gynaecologist at Masindi Hospital where he had served for about 30 years. He also owned a private clinic called Wanainchi Clinic in Masindi town.

Abiriga’s tragic death left many people shocked as he was not known to have grudges against people.

“My doctor, you saved my life and you have saved many mothers of this country. You did not deserve such kind of death. Dr Abiriga you’re irreplaceable. What a loss to the district and the country at large. We shall forever miss you. May the Lord reward all the works of your hands with an everlasting eternal rest until we meet again,” Betty Kyomuhendo the deputy mayor of Masindi Municipality eulogized the late.

Joab Businge, the Masindi Municipality MP said Abiriga’s death is very unfortunate to the people of Masindi, adding that he has served the people of Masindi diligently.

“I think he has been a victim of the unending conflict in the district because he never wanted to become an acting DHO. When he was working in the hospital he was at peace. He served his people with a lot of commitment. Slaughtering him was uncalled for,” he said.

Moses Kiirya, the Masindi District Council speaker said that as a district they have lost a lot noting that he was the only Doctor who was committed at the theatre though he was also working in the capacity of DHO.

Robert Akugizibwe, a resident of Kijura South and also a councillor at Masindi Municipality appealed to security agencies in the country to investigate his death to the logical conclusion.

“Abiriga was an exceptional Doctor who would attend to everyone regardless of status. We shall remember him for saving mothers,” said Akugizibwe.