AN asylum seeker has been found dead in her city flat next to her crying baby, it has emerged.
The body of Mercy Baguma, from Uganda, was discovered in her Glasgow flat by police on Saturday.
Her one-year-old child was taken for urgent medical care but it is understood that he may have been without food for several days.
He has since been released and his mother's cause of death has yet to be determined.
However, it is understood that she had health problems and the charity Positive Action in Housing (PAIH) says Baguma, who was in her 30s, was living in "extreme poverty" after losing the right to work.
Friends had not heard from her for four days before the discovery.
Thousands of pounds have now been donated to a crowdfunder to pay for her burial costs and provide for her son.
Family in Uganda have been informed and Baguma's son is being cared for by his father in Glasgow.
The man is also an asylum seeker and lived separately from Baguma.
It's claimed that Baguma did have leave to remain in the UK, but that this had expired, meaning she could not continue earning and subsequently claimed asylum.
Robina Qureshi, director of PAIH, said: “This is the third tragedy to affect the city’s refugee population in as many months.
“Mercy contacted our charity on August 11 and said she was not getting any financial support yet and had made an application to MigrantHelp.
“Had she lived she would have been a 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 it being left to charities and volunteers to pick up the pieces? Does society have anything to say other than call them a drain on society?
“The fact is there is no safety net if you are a refugee or migrant. You are left destitute and without resources, and people are being silenced and shamed by far right rhetoric for being forced to ask for help.
“Would this mother be alive if she was not forced out of her job by this cruel system that stops you from working and paying your way because a piece of paper says your leave to remain has expired?
“I’m sure Mercy’s son will want to ask this and other questions once he is old enough.”
The news comes one day after all of Glasgow's MPs sent a letter to Immigration Minister Chris Philp rejecting the “evaluation” the Home Office says it is holding into the handling of asylum cases in the city.
They and others including PAIH are calling for a fully inquiry into the provision of accommodation by Home Office contractor Mears, the Park Inn attack at one of the hotels used by Mears in June and other issues.
Qureshi said: “It is a matter of when – not if – the next tragedy occurs and this reinforces our resolve for a public inquiry and to get rid of any pretence that the Home Office wants to find out the pain it is causing with it’s evaluation which seven Glasgow MPs are now boycotting.”
On the crowdfunding page, friends wrote that Baguma was “loved by all”, stating: “We are devastated to share that Mercy Baguma passed away on Saturday 22nd 2020.
“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 her death was sudden and unexpected. Mercy has left her one-year-old son and family back in Uganda. We are raising money to give her a proper send off and something for her son.
“Please consider helping out her loved ones through this difficult time as they navigate this tragedy and move forward in life without her.”
The crowdfunder can be found here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/mercy-baguma039s-furneal-fund
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