The father of a baby found crying next to his dead mother in a Glasgow flat has thanked the people of Glasgow for their generosity since her heartbreaking death.
Eric Nnanna has spoken out for the first time since Mercy Baguma tragically died on August 22.
The 34-year-old, originally from Uganda, was found dead next to her crying, malnourished one-year-old son in her Glasgow flat.
Friends had not heard from her since August 18, and it was understood she had been living in extreme poverty.
A Go Fund Me page was set up in support of her family and has since raised over £41,000.
In a statement released by Positive Action in Housing, Mr Nnanna said the money will be used to pay for her funeral costs and to secure their son's future, which he hopes will be in Glasgow.
He wrote: "On behalf of our baby son Adriel, I wish to thank the kind people of Scotland and all over the world for so generously donating to the CAF and GoFundMe appeals.
"This money will be used firstly to pay for Mercy's funeral costs. After this, it will be used to ensure baby Adriel's future welfare, hopefully and god willing here in Glasgow, Scotland.
To this end, a trust fund is being set up with an established firm of solicitors here in Glasgow."
Charities who had been in contact with Mercy, originally from Uganda, prior to her passing said the mum had been living in “extreme poverty”.
She had lost her job after her limited leave to remain expired and she was no longer allowed to work.
She is understood to have been applying for asylum
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon condemned the Home Office in response to Mercy’s death.
Speaking during First Minister’s Questions, she said: “Like most people across this country I find myself consumed with sadness but also with real anger at the death of Mercy Baguma.
"The exact circumstances of her death are not yet known - I think it's important to be clear about that. I certainly support all efforts to establish the facts of this tragic case."
"But what I think we can all say is - and we knew this before this tragedy - is the UK asylum system is broken. It is deeply inhumane and it must be changed.
"People come to Scotland because they need a place of safety and should have our support - that is even more true at this time of crisis.
"Asylum is wholly reserved to the UK Government and that includes procurement of asylum accommodation.
"We have repeatedly raised concerns with the Home Office over accommodation for asylum seekers, both before and during the pandemic.
"We need wholesale reform of our asylum system."
Mr Nnanna said he was grateful to the First Minister for speaking out.
He added: "I am grateful to the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon for speaking out strongly in her condemnation of a hostile immigration policy that destroys lives.
"I hope she can meet Adriel when the time is right.
"I wish to thank the Radiant and Bright charity; the wonderful staff at the NHS and Adriel's health visitor; the police officers who attended on Saturday, August 22; and to Positive Action in Housing for bringing Mercy's plight to the publics attention in the first place and raising questions about what happened."
