New details emerge in socialite death in bar

KAMPALA - Investigators have uncovered new details in the ongoing probe into the mysterious death of 23-year-old Martha Murari Ahumuza, who collapsed at Mezo Noir, a high-end bar in Kololo and later died at Kampala Hospital. 

Police sources have revealed that Ahumuza had left the home of her boyfriend (name withheld) late in the night before heading to the popular hangout last Wednesday. 

The boyfriend has since recorded a statement with the Police to provide some insights to investigators following the case. 

Sources revealed that Ahumuza told the boyfriend that she was heading to her home to pick some clothes and return, but she did not come back.

Closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera footage places her at Mezo Noir at around 2:00am, where she was seen with a man believed to be Edward Mugabo, a manager at the bar, who is one of the four suspects that have been arrested. 

The young man, who was dressed in a navy blue suit, pink shirt and checked necktie recorded a statement at Jinja Road Police Station yesterday. 

Sources said: “According to the young man, Ahumuza left his place late in the night claiming she was going to pick clothes from home and return to sleep over at his place, but she never returned. He only learnt later that she had died after going to Mezo Noir.” 

The circumstances leading to Ahumuza’s collapse remain unclear, but preliminary reports suggest that she and Mugabo had a private meeting in one of the offices inside the club before she lost consciousness. 

Mezo Noir has since had its operations shutdown pending ongoing inquiries into her death. 

Besides, authorities are waiting for forensic and toxicology examination results to determine if drugs or other substances were found in her body.

“These tests will help to establish whether she consumed any harmful substances before her collapse,” a police forensic source explained. Additionally, forensic teams are conducting examinations related to sexual activity.

Investigators suspect that Ahumuza could have had a sexual encounter at the bar before she lost consciousness and died.

Family vows to uncover truth 

The deceased’s family has since vowed to uncover the truth behind Ahumuza’s death. 

The daughter of Seth Murari, a prominent businessman in Mbarara city, Ahumuza was laid to rest at Nyarubanga, Mbarara, on Sunday. She was a graduate of ISBAT University and an employee of FF Company.

Suspects arrested 

Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Patrick Onyango confirmed the arrest of the four suspects.

Sequence of events 

Detectives said the CCTV camera footage at the nightclub showed that Mugabo and Ahumuza met inside the club at 2:00am on Wednesday. They said Ahumuza drove herself to the nightclub. 

“She parked her car near the entrance and entered the club. She met a one Edward Mugabo, who is one of the managers of the bar. He is also a brother of the owner of the bar. 

Mugabo reportedly offered her a drink, and they later entered one of the rooms located at the club,” a detective told New Vision. 

“After about 30 minutes, Mugabo came out of the room carrying the lady. The lady was then pushed into the car,” the detective said. 

Detectives indicated that in his statement, Mugabo said from the bar, he rushed Ahumuza to a nearby hospital.