Friends and family of University of Manitoba student and basketball star continue to grieve following his sudden death over Easter weekend.
Michael Makumbi, 22, attended the University of Manitoba as an international student. He was also part of the Legacy Preparatory Basketball Academy and Segue, a faith-based student club at the UM.
The young athlete died suddenly during the Easter weekend, which friends and family are attributing to a blood clot.
Joshua Mudiwa became friends with Michael within days of arriving in Canada.
"We were both still staying in residence, so I just came downstairs from my room, and Michael had just gotten into the building, so I just saw him by the window and, you know, just gave him a look. And I was like, 'Hey, this guy looks a little bit interesting. Let me go say hi,'" said Joshua. "From there, we just instantly clicked."
Mudiwa says they would hang out every day until they moved off campus.
"And I was just at his house pretty much every week. And from there, you know, it became a three-year friendship."
He says that Michael was a friend whom you'd want to show off.
"He was just so social, so friendly, you know, amazing. Someone who is also very humorous. He was a very funny guy," said Joshua. "He was someone when he stepped into a room, you just felt his presence. He was so inviting. So warm. He was just amazing."
Joshua said Michael was also a man not afraid to share his faith.
"He was someone who I could say was just the reflection of Jesus' friendliness. You know that welcoming nature. That was just who Michael was as a person. It was incredible."
Friends and classmates who knew him are now asking for prayers for his family. They have also set up a GoFundMe to help bring Michael home to Uganda.
"Michael was someone who loved his country, and we just believe that he would have loved to have his last resting place there."
The hope is to raise $40,000 to help get Michael home.
All funds raised will go towards the flights, funeral arrangements in Canada and Uganda and support for his grieving family.
"We are asking for your help — not just to raise money, but to surround Michael with the same love and support he gave so freely."