A beautiful soul: Friends pay tribute to asylum seeker at candelit vigil
A candlelit vigil was held yesterday for an asylum seeker after her sudden death.
A minute’s silence was followed by prayers for Mercy Baguma at the event in a park near where she lived. Her partner Eric Nnanna attended with the couple’s 16-month-old son Adriel, who wore a shirt with the message In Loving Memory of Beloved Mama.
A group of 100 gathered for the half-hour ceremony at the boating pond in Elder Park in Glasgow’s Govan. Mercy’s friend Veronica Bonad said: “Mercy was such a beautiful soul and brought such energy to people. They say People Make Glasgow. Well, Glasgow made Mercy and we thank people so much for their thoughts since she died.”
Another friend, Elizabeth Ndungu, said: “We love you so much, Mercy. Your son is here today and we promise he is in good hands. The community hold you in such high regard and we are thinking of you.”
SNP MP Chris Stephens, also among those who attended, said: “We see today a respectful vigil from Mercy’s family and friends and our hearts go out to all of them. I am quite clear that the lack of support for asylum seekers in this country has got to end, and Glasgow MPs will continue to campaign on behalf of our constituents who are seeking refuge in this country.”
Mercy, 34, was found dead in her flat in on August 22 after friends had not heard from her for several days. Her son was in the flat when his mother passed away.
The family says they received the post-mortem report but it did not give further details of how Mercy died. She will be buried at her ancestral home in the Bugiri district in eastern Uganda.
Mercy’s sister Hajara Nakendo told The Sunday Post yesterday: “The confirmation I have now is that my sister’s remains will arrive in Kampala on Sunday and we shall bury her on Monday.”