Last month, Martha Ahumuza Murari, a recent graduate of ISBAT University, reportedly collapsed in the manager’s office at Mezo Noir, a nightclub in Kololo. She was rushed to the ICU at Kampala Hospital but was later pronounced dead.
How It All Started
Preliminary investigations indicate that on March 19, 2025, Ahumuza left her parents’ home in Mamerito Ward, Kira Division, Wakiso District, for work at HSF Logistics Company in Nakasero, Kampala, where she served as the human resources manager.
On the fateful night, according to New Vison, her mother, Barbara Murali Kagonyera, was reportedly on a business trip in Dubai. A case file of suspected murder by poisoning, referenced as CRB 308/2025, has since been opened at Kira Road Police Station.
Sources from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, who are analyzing evidence in the case, revealed that after work, Ahumuza went for aerobics and swimming at Speke Apartments, where she met her friend, Dorreck Ampaire. After their session, they proceeded to Auras Bar and Lodge in Kololo, staying there until around 12:05 a.m.
Ahumuza and Ampaire then left for Lower Kololo Terrace, to the home of Eria Mubiru, Ahumuza’s intimate partner. They arrived at Mubiru’s residence around 12:30 a.m. on March 20.
According to Ampaire’s police statement, while at Mubiru’s home, Ahumuza and Mubiru barely engaged in conversation, instead focusing on their mobile phones. Ahumuza was reportedly chatting with Edward Mugabo, her other boyfriend, who is now the prime suspect. Mugabo was at Mezo Noir at the time, where he worked as the manager.
A Night of Drinking
While at Mubiru’s home, Ahumuza requested her favorite wine, Sauvignon Blanc Margaret River. Mubiru ordered two bottles, but according to Ampaire, they consumed only half of one bottle, while Mubiru abstained from drinking altogether.
Later, Ahumuza informed Mubiru that she was heading home to Kira. However, instead of going home, she drove to Mezo Noir to meet Mugabo. According to reports, she had confided in Ampaire earlier that she wanted to see Mugabo to resolve personal issues. She asked Ampaire to support her cover story, claiming she was going home to pick up clothes for work the next morning.
Ahumuza had promised to return and sleep at Mubiru’s place but ended up at Mezo Noir, where she later collapsed and died. Preliminary police investigations indicate that she arrived at Mezo Noir around 1:45 a.m. on March 20 and engaged in a lengthy discussion with Mugabo over drinks.
WhatsApp Conversations
Quoting WhatsApp messages exchanged around 1:00 a.m., investigators revealed that Ahumuza initially texted Mugabo, stating she was heading home but asked if he was still at Mezo Noir so she could pass by briefly.
Shortly after, she sent another message saying, “I have no curfew today.” Investigators believe this meant that her mother’s absence gave her more freedom that night.
Mugabo, who was preparing to drive his sister home in Kololo, agreed to meet Ahumuza at Mezo Noir after dropping her off. He also planned to return to the club to close up for the night.
CCTV footage obtained by police shows that upon arrival, security guard Deus Niwamanya opened the gate for Ahumuza. She parked her car, stepped out alone, and entered the bar, where she found Mugabo at the counter, taking stock of the day’s sales.
Final Moments
Police reports indicate that they were the only two people in the bar at the time, as all customers and staff had left, except for the security guards.
While at the counter, CCTV footage captures them conversing as Mugabo served Ahumuza four shots of Jägermeister and a can of Red Bull. She sipped the cocktail but was also seen discreetly pouring some of her drink into a dustbin while Mugabo was away. Upon his return, Mugabo added more shots of Jägermeister to her glass.
At around 2:29 a.m., the two were seen leaving the bar, walking hand in hand toward the manager’s office. Ahumuza carried her drink with her.
According to the police report, while in the manager’s office, Ahumuza and Mugabo engaged in sexual intercourse. “During or immediately after intercourse, Ahumuza became unconscious on the couch,” the report states.
At around 3:30 a.m., Mugabo was seen making frantic phone calls. Moments later, his brother, Joseph Kalisa, arrived in a black Mercedes-Benz, registration number SSD 020BY. With the help of the bar’s security guard, they carried Ahumuza out of the premises and into the vehicle before driving her to Kampala Hospital. Doctors noted that she was unresponsive and in critical condition. She was later pronounced dead at around 3:00 p.m.
Was It Poisoning?
Ahumuza’s sudden death has raised suspicions of poisoning, whether deliberate or accidental.
This prompted police to seal off Mezo Noir Bar and collect key evidence, including two bottles of Jägermeister (one half-empty), a disposable glass containing a yellowish liquid, a bedcover, and a T-shirt from the manager’s office.
It has since been discovered that the T-shirt contained semen, and DNA analysis is pending. Forensic teams have also taken samples from the Sauvignon Blanc bottle found at Mubiru’s residence to determine whether they contain traces of drugs, alcohol, or toxins.
Toxicology tests are being conducted at the Government Analytical Laboratory in Wandegeya to determine whether Ahumuza was poisoned or suffered from alcohol-related toxicity.
Ahumuza’s family is determined to uncover the truth behind her death. She was laid to rest at Nyarubanga, Mbarara, on Sunday.
