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Family says Martha Ahumuza 'choked, hemorrhaged' to death, dad vows to get justice

The 23-year-old recent graduate passed away in the wee hours of Thursday at Kampala Hospital where she was rushed in critical condition. 
Martha Ahumuza Murari
Martha Ahumuza Murari

Family members and friends of Martha Ahumuza Murari on Saturday paid glowing tribute to the young woman, whose recent tragic death gripped the nation. 

The 23 year old recent graduate of Isbat University passed away in the wee hours of Thursday at Kampala Hospital where she was rushed in critical condition. 

She succumbed to suspected poisoning according to police.

Kira Road police are investigating claims Martha had her drink spiked at Mezo Noir Bar in Kololo. 

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Final moments 

During a funeral service held at All Saints Church in Kampala, details were shared about her final moments. 

It was revealed that she suffered aspiration pneumonia and a severe brain hemorrhage which was cited as the cause of death. 

Her brother, Bryan, who was among the first people at the hospital, told mourners that at the time he arrived, doctors told him that she had choked on vomit and was bleeding in the brain. 

They said her brain was filled with fluids from vomit and that she had a brain hemorrhage

Julie, a family friend who also rushed to the hospital said she was informed on arrival that Martha was brain dead. 

They told me that if there was anything that could be done to save her, they would have arranged for her to be flown to Aga Khan Hospital in Nairobi for further management

Father seeks justice

Seth Murari, the father of the deceased, arrived moments later and was given the same information. 

Refusing to accept the reality, he insisted that doctors get a second opinion. 

I contacted the best doctors I knew, but they told me she could not be revived

He said he took the decision to have Martha kept on life support machines until her mother Barbra arrived from Dubai. 

Murari vowed to pursue justice for her firstborn and only daughter. 

I can assure the public and relatives that we shall get to the bottom of this, no matter the cost. We shall get to the bottom of this.

A mother’s pain

Barbra Murari was inconsolable as she recounted her daughter's aspirations that went unrealised. 

When she was going to university, I gave a car and warned her to be careful with her life as a student. She promised me that she would bring  me a  degree and she did bring it in December.

I am so hurt though, that a lot of things she promised me I have not realized.

I only celebrated her graduation. She had promised me that she would get married and bring me a son in law, and a grandchild. She now left without a child of her own. 

Martha was praised by mourners as a smart young woman who made many friends. 

Her uncle, Brig Gen John Bosco Asinguza hailed her entrepreneurship acumen, having helped her start her first second hand clothes business. 

Two people have been arrested by police to help with investigations. 

The suspects are Edward Mugabo, a cashier at Mezo Noir and his brother Joseph Kalenzi.

Martha will be laid to rest today, at her ancestral home in Nyarubanga, Mbarara.

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