A United Nations judge will be sentenced after being convicted of forcing a young woman to work as a slave.

Lydia Mugambe, 50, was found to have taken “advantage of her status” over the Ugandan woman in the “most egregious way”, while she studied for a PhD in law at the University of Oxford.

Mugambe, who is also a High Court judge in Uganda, stopped the woman holding down steady employment and forced her to work as her maid and provide childcare, prosecutors said. 

The arrest of Lydia Mugambe (Thames Valley Police/PA)

She was found guilty in March of conspiring to facilitate the commission of a breach of UK immigration law, facilitating travel with a view to exploitation, forcing someone to work, and conspiracy to intimidate a witness after a trial at Oxford Crown Court.

In footage released by Thames Valley Police, Mugambe appeared shocked when an officer said he was arresting her under the Modern Slavery Act.

She then had a conversation with the officer, in which she said: “I am a judge in my country, I even have immunity. I am not a criminal.”

Caroline Haughey KC, prosecuting, told jurors during the trial that Mugambe exploited her victim by taking advantage of her lack of knowledge about employment rights and misleading her about why she came to the UK.

Jurors agreed that Mugambe conspired with Ugandan deputy high commissioner John Leonard Mugerwa to bring the young woman to the UK.

Prosecutors said they took part in a “very dishonest” trade-off, in which Mr Mugerwa arranged for the Ugandan High Commission to sponsor the woman’s entrance into the UK in exchange for Mugambe attempting to speak to a judge who was in charge of legal action in which Mr Mugerwa was named. 

Jurors also accepted that the defendant conspired to intimidate the woman to have her withdraw her support for the prosecution, or the charges against her to be dropped.

The charge said Mugambe contacted a pastor to assist in making contact with the young Ugandan woman, arranged for members of the woman’s family to be contacted so they could persuade her to drop the case, and arranged for an email to be sent directly to her.

Mugambe denied forcing the young woman to do household chores and said she “always” treated her with love, care and patience.

The young woman Mugambe tricked into coming to the UK, who cannot be named for legal reasons, told the court previously she felt “lonely” and “stuck” after her working hours were limited.

According to her UN profile page, Mugambe was appointed to the body’s judicial roster in May 2023, three months after police were called to her address in Oxfordshire. She will be sentenced on Friday. By Ted Hennessey, PA, Irish Examiner

On April 30, 2025, the Crop Estimates Committee (CEC) released its third production forecast for South Africa’s 2024-25 summer crop season. This report garnered significant attention due to recent excessive rainfall, which raised concerns about potential crop reductions. However, the CEC slightly increased the summer crop production estimate by 0.05% from March 2025, reaching 18.01 million tonnes. This modest uptick is significant, as many feared a downward revision due to weather conditions.

The overall harvest forecast is 16% higher than the 2023-24 season, which was impacted by drought, signaling a robust recovery for the agricultural sector. Notably, the maize harvest rose by 1% from the March 2025 estimate, totaling 14.66 million tonnes, with 7.75 million tonnes of white maize and 6.91 million tonnes of yellow maize. This represents a 14% year-on-year increase, driven by improved yields. This volume far exceeds South Africa’s annual maize requirements of approximately 11.8 million tonnes, ensuring the country remains a net maize exporter.

For oilseeds, the soybean harvest is projected at 2.3 million tonnes, down 25% from March 2025 due to concerns over yield damage from recent rains. Nevertheless, it is still 26% higher than the previous year, thanks to better yields compared to last year’s drought. The sunflower seed harvest is estimated at 742,800 tonnes, a 4% decrease from March but an 18% increase from the prior season. Other crops, including groundnuts (64,595 tonnes, +24% y/y), sorghum (137,970 tonnes, +41% y/y), and dry beans (70,540 tonnes, +40% y/y), also show significant year-on-year growth compared to the drought-affected 2023-24 season.

Improved weather prospects, including sunnier and drier conditions, will support harvesting efforts in the coming months. While excessive rainfall likely caused some quality losses in certain regions, this is not a major concern for consumers. The anticipated large harvest is driving down commodity prices, paving the way for stable food prices in the second half of 2025.

In the first quarter of 2025, grain-related product prices in the food inflation basket may still reflect the impact of earlier high prices and tight supplies. However, with the arrival of new season deliveries, the situation is expected to improve. Overall, the 2024-25 season promises to be a successful one for South African agriculture, bolstering the sector’s economic recovery.

Gunmen who assassinated Kasipul Kabondo MP Charles Ong’ondo Were on Wednesday night used the element of surprise, catching the MP’s bodyguard off guard and unable to react in time.

And as the police also confirmed that the killing was a planned and well-executed attack, it emerged that the MP had been living on borrowed time after he had complained of threats to his life. 

According to the armed bodyguard, who was seated in the back seat during the ambush, the suddenness of the attack left him disoriented and unable to respond immediately.

“It took just seconds for us to realize what had happened. By then, the gunman and his accomplice had fled the scene,” he said.

The attackers, who used a motorcycle, gained a tactical advantage, escaping swiftly and avoiding traffic congestion—motorbikes being fast, manoeuvrable, and difficult to trace.

The incident occurred around 7:30 p.m. when Were’s white Toyota Crown (registration KDM 783A) stopped at a red light on Ngong Road near the City Mortuary roundabout.

Motorcycle riders

Witnesses said two men on a motorcycle pulled up beside the vehicle, having apparently been trailing it.

“The pillion passenger walked up to the car and opened fire on the passenger side before jumping back onto the bike and speeding off. The nature of this crime appears to be both targeted and premeditated,” said police spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga.

Neither the driver nor the bodyguard was injured. They rushed the MP to Nairobi Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Police confirmed the attack appeared to be targeted and premeditated. Investigations are underway, led by detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).

“The National Police Service condemns this heinous crime and will leave no stone unturned in seeking justice,” said Muchiri.

President William Ruto also condemned the murder, urging a thorough investigation and accountability for the perpetrators. “Those responsible must face justice,” he stated.

The bodyguard told investigators that upon spotting the assailant’s pistol and hearing gunshots, he froze and could not return fire.

Bullets lodged in body

Police reports indicated that Were, who was seated in the front passenger seat, was shot four to five times. Two bullets were lodged in his body, while the others passed through his chest. Investigators believe the attackers had prior knowledge of Were’s recent vehicle change, made for security reasons.

Were and his team had left Parliament around 6:30 p.m., navigating through heavy traffic towards Ngong Road.

At the scene, the gunman dismounted and fired through the co-driver’s window as the MP, distracted by a phone call, was caught off guard. The bullet first hit his hand, followed by several more rounds. The area, located near Nairobi Hospital and the Kenya Medical Training College, is under surveillance, and security footage is expected to aid the investigation.

Senior government officials—including the Internal Security Principal Secretary, Raymond Omollo Inspector General Douglas Kanja, DCI Director Mohamed Amin, and Nairobi Regional Police Commander George Sedah—visited the hospital soon after the shooting.

“Our multi-agency teams are following all leads to apprehend the perpetrators,” said PS Omollo.

The ODM party, which sponsored Were’s 2022 parliamentary bid, confirmed he had spent most of the day in Parliament before leaving in the evening. Party leader Raila Odinga demanded swift investigations.

“Hon Charles Ong’ondo Were has been killed in cold blood. Rest in Peace, Hon Sir Charles,” he said.

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula mourned Were, who was serving his second term.

“This cowardly act has robbed the nation of a dedicated legislator and advocate for democracy,” he said, calling for rigorous investigations. He added that Parliament would stay engaged and support the bereaved family.

Rangwe MP Lilian Gogo suggested that Were’s murder may be politically motivated, revealing that the MP had reported threats to his life two months earlier.

 “The person responsible is known. There’s rising violence in Homa Bay politics that must be addressed,” she said.

Mbita MP Millie Odhiambo described Were as hardworking and loyal. She noted he appeared distracted the night of his death and regretted not getting a chance to speak with him.

Were had previously accused outsiders of inciting violence at public events in his constituency.

He had recounted a recent incident where thugs disrupted a funeral in Nyatindo East Kamagak and criticized local security officials for inaction.

In a separate controversy, some Homa Bay leaders and residents have accused the MP of sponsoring violent gangs in the area.

 During the burial of Evans Okoda—killed in May last year—Odoyo Owidi alleged that Were was linked to his death.

Okoda, formerly Evans Kidero’s bodyguard, was murdered in a gruesome attack involving mutilation.

Owidi claimed, “Many people have been maimed or killed because of Ong’ondo Were.” By Zadock Angira and Kepher Otieno, People Daily

The Nigerian Army has debunked claims of a terrorist attack at the ammunition storage facility in Giwa Barracks in Maiduguri, Borno State capital city. 

The Army said the explosion which rocked the facility was caused by extreme heat conditions in the area and not an attack as suggested by many. 

In a statement issued hours after the explosion, the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, Captain Reuben Kovangiya, said the incident was a reaction to high temperature affection the ammunition stored in the facility.

“The explosion was due to the current high temperatures in Maiduguri, which led to the explosion of some munitions,” Kovangiya said. 

Noting that the situation has been brought under control, Kovangiya said there was a coordinated response by the state’s Fire Service Department and sister emergency agency at the facility.

He also stated that troops of Operation HADIN KAI were deployed to the scene to prevent hoodlums from taking advantage of the situation on the ground.

“The general public is therefore urged to please discountenance any speculation of an attack… and remain calm,” Kovangiya added. Politics Nigeria