I need to know why my daughter died: Father of asylum seeker Mercy Baguma asks for answers

The father of a Ugandan asylum seeker found dead in a Glasgow flat next to her distressed baby son has appealed for information about how she died.

Abdul Balingira Nakendo, a former Ugandan MP, said 34-year-old Mercy Baguma came to the UK as a student in 2006.

A prayer service due to be held yesterday in her home town of Bugiri was postponed by her father yesterday until the results of a post mortem are released.

Speaking to The Sunday Post, Mr Nakendo said: “I want to know what killed my daughter. I am wondering what happened. I am really surprised. My daughter was healthy, so how did she die?

“I hear she was found there alone in the house, the dead body was found alone in the house when the child is crying, almost dying, so I want to find out what is going on.”

He added: “Our ­religion dictates that we hold a prayer after four days for a woman. But this ­incident was abrupt and terrible, because my daughter was very far, many miles away from me.”

Police are treating the death as unexplained and the woman’s one-year-old son, Adriel, is being cared for by his father, a Nigerian who lives in Glasgow.

The death of Mercy Baguma, who is also known as Masitula Baguma Nakendo, has prompted fresh calls for reform of the asylum system.

Ms Baguma, who was previously a waitress in an African restaurant, lost the right to work and was relying on support from local charities. Weeks before she died she was seen accepting a food parcel in a video posted by community firm African Challenge Scotland.

Ms Beguma’s ­sister, Hajirah Nakendo, a human rights lawyer in Uganda, has criticised the asylum system in the UK, saying her sibling died “over a mere piece of paper”.

She posted an emotional tribute online, which said: “Mercy was not only beautiful on the outside, she was a beautiful soul. She also saw the beauty in others… words cannot describe how much she will be missed.”

The Home Office has launched an investigation into the way Ms Baguma’s asylum claim was handled.

Glasgow MP Chris Stephens, who knew Ms Baguma, said: “The family are quite rightly looking for answers and, whilst the cause of death at this stage is unknown, the factual evidence is that Mercy had to access a wide range of help from asylum support networks. This is not unique, and, like so many of those seeking refuge, asylum support networks are plugging the gaps left by the Home Office.”

It is understood Glasgow’s seven SNP MPs are considering asking the Lord Advocate James Woolfe to launch an inquiry into the death.

Mr Stephens said: “As a group of Glasgow MPs, we have no faith in the Home Office carrying out an ­internal evaluation. Only a full independent inquiry will provide the accurate picture, as to how asylum seekers have been treated during Covid. We will consider our next steps in the next few days.”

A Home Office spokesman said: “This is a tragic situation and our condolences go to Ms Baguma’s family.

“The Home Office takes the wellbeing of all those in the asylum system extremely seriously, and we will be conducting a full investigation into Ms Baguma’s case.”