MBARARA, Uganda – Under a somber gray sky, hundreds gathered on Sunday, March 23rd, to lay 23-year-old Martha Ahumuza Murari to rest at her family’s ancestral home in Nyarubanga, Mbarara.
The funeral marked the tragic conclusion to a week of unanswered questions following her sudden collapse and death at Kampala’s Mezo Noir nightclub.
A Life Cut Short
Martha’s final journey began with a requiem mass at All Saints Church in Kampala on Saturday, where tearful eulogies painted her as a vibrant, ambitious young woman.
The service was followed by an evening vigil in Nyarubanga, where mourners sang hymns and shared memories under flickering candlelight.
Her father, Seth Murari – National Sports and Games Coordinator in the Office of the NRM National Chairman – stood before the gathered crowd, his voice breaking as he pleaded for patience and respect.
“We are still waiting for the police to tell us what truly happened that night,” Murari said. “Until then, we ask the public to honor Martha’s memory with kindness, not speculation.”
The appeal came amid swirling rumors about Martha’s final hours. Initial police reports suggest possible poisoning, leading to the arrest of Mezzo Noir cashier Edward Mugabo and his brother Joseph Kalenzi.
Investigators are scrutinizing security footage and forensic evidence, though no official cause of death has been released.
Related: Mezo Noir: Woman Dies, Staff Arrested, Club Shut Down Indefinitely
A Mother’s Anguish
Martha’s mother, Barbara Murari, stood silently by the casket during much of the service, her grief palpable. When she finally spoke, her words carried the weight of unimaginable loss.
“The devil stole my daughter,” she whispered to mourners. “He took her without warning, without even letting her fall sick first.”
Her raw emotion underscored the family’s struggle to reconcile Martha’s sudden passing with the lack of clear answers.
Community Rallies in Support
The funeral drew an outpouring of support, with classmates, colleagues, and neighbors traveling from Kampala to Mbarara. Many wore white – a traditional symbol of mourning – while others clutched framed photos of Martha from happier times.
“She had this light about her,” recalled a university friend who asked not to be named. “Always planning her next business venture, always cheering everyone up. This shouldn’t have happened.”
A Plea for Dignity
As the burial concluded, Seth Murari reiterated his request for respectful discourse, particularly on social media where theories about Martha’s death had proliferated.
Related: Judith Heard Reflects on Martha Ahumuza’s Death, Faces Backlash for “Self-Centered” Message
“Let the investigators do their work,” he urged. “What we need now is space to grieve and remember our daughter as she was – full of life and promise.”
With Martha laid to rest, the family’s focus now turns to the pending police report, which they hope will bring clarity to the tragedy that has left Uganda grappling with questions about nightlife safety and accountability.
