AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER
AN Ugandan woman living in extreme poverty in Glasgow, Scotland, has been found dead next to her crying baby.
The Guardian reports that Mercy Baguma, 34, an asylum seeker, was found dead in a flat on the Southside of Glasgow next to her son, who was found to be suffering from malnutrition and required hospital treatment.
Baguma is understood to have lost her job after her permit expired and relied on donations to survive.
According to The Guardian, Scotland police said they had received reports of Baguma’s sudden death on August 22. The death was being treated as unexplained but not suspicious.
A charity, the African Challenge, has raised more than 6000 BP for her funeral. Africa Challenge described Baguma as an amazing mother, sister, best friend loved by all. “Mercy was always positive and always put her family first, especially her son. Her smile made everyone so welcome and comfortable. Mercy had health problems (but) her death was sudden and unexpected.”
Robina Qureshi, the director of Positive Action in Housing, told The Guardian that Baguma had lived in extreme poverty and had claimed asylum. He said Baguma was a third person to die under such circumstances.
“Mercy contacted our charity on 11 August and said she was not getting any financial support yet and had made an application to Migrant Help. Had she lived she would have been high priority for a crisis payment from our emergency relief fund like hundreds of others left functionally destitute by the asylum system.
“The question remains, why are mothers and babies being left to go hungry in this city, and why is being left to charities and volunteers to pick up the pieces. The fact is that there is no safety net if you are a refugee or a migrant.”
The Scottish Home Office described Baguma’s death as tragic and promised an investigation.
