LONDON — Lydia Mugambe, a 49-year-old judge serving on a United Nations tribunal and the Ugandan High Court, has been convicted in the United Kingdom of multiple offenses related to modern slavery. The Oxford Crown Court found her guilty of conspiring to breach UK immigration laws, facilitating travel for exploitation, requiring a person to perform forced labor, and conspiracy to intimidate a witness.
Prosecutors revealed that Mugambe deceived a young Ugandan woman into coming to the UK under the pretense of legitimate employment. Instead, the victim was compelled to work without pay as a domestic maid and nanny at Mugambe’s residence in Kidlington, Oxfordshire. The victim’s passport and visa documents were confiscated, restricting her freedom and ability to seek other employment.
The court heard that Mugambe collaborated with John Leonard Mugerwa, then Uganda’s deputy high commissioner in London, to facilitate the victim’s visa. In exchange, Mugambe allegedly agreed to assist Mugerwa with a separate legal matter in Uganda. Mugerwa, who has since returned to Uganda, was not charged due to diplomatic immunity.
During her arrest, Mugambe claimed diplomatic immunity, stating, “I am a judge in my country, I even have immunity. I am not a criminal.” However, any potential immunity was waived by the United Nations, allowing the prosecution to proceed.
The victim eventually sought help from a friend, leading to police involvement and Mugambe’s subsequent arrest. The Crown Prosecution Service praised the victim’s courage in coming forward, emphasizing that modern slavery has no place in society.
Mugambe, who was pursuing a doctorate in law at the University of Oxford during the offenses, has been suspended by the university pending further disciplinary action. She is scheduled for sentencing on May 2.
