A MISSING mum was found dead next to her malnourished one-year-old baby in her Glasgow flat after losing her right to work.

Mercy Baguma was found dead by police on Saturday after concerned friends raised the alarm.

It is understood the mum, from Uganda, had lost her job after her limited leave to remain expired and she was no longer allowed to work.

Mercy, who was in her 30s, was living in extreme poverty when she claimed asylum and relying on charity organisations and friends for help.

The mum was said to have "adored" her little boy.

The baby boy, who was found crying and weakened from starvation beside his mum's body, is now being cared for by his father, who is understood to be an asylum seeker.

Pals raised the alarm after not hearing from Mercy for four days and police made the grim discovery on August 22.

On August 11, Mercy had got in touch with charity Positive Action for Housing, to get help.

No cause of death has yet been established.

'AMAZING MOTHER'

A friend who set up a GoFundMe for Mercy said she had "health problems" but her death was "sudden and unexpected".

Pal Bridget wrote: "We are devastated to share that Mercy Baguma  passed away on Saturday 22nd 2020 .

"She was an amazing mother, sister, best friend and friend loved by all.

"Mercy was always positive and always put her family first, especially her son. 

"Her smile made everyone so welcome and comfortable."

Robina Qureshi, Director of Positive Action in Housing 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 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, why is it being left to charities and volunteers to pick up the pieces? Does society have anything to say about that other than call them a drain on society?

"The fact is there is no safety net if you're a refugee or migrant. You are left destitute and without resources. And you're left silenced 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."

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