By: Marcel Adala
Lydia Mugambe, a Ugandan High Court judge and United Nations Criminal Tribunal appointee, has been convicted of modern slavery offences by Oxford Crown Court.
The 49-year-old judge was found guilty of conspiring to breach UK immigration laws, facilitating travel for exploitation, forcing someone to work, and witness intimidation following a three-week trial.
Mugambe exploited a young Ugandan woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, by luring her to the UK under false promises of employment.
Instead, the victim was subjected to unpaid domestic servitude and childcare in Mugambe’s household.
Her passport and visa documents were confiscated, leaving her unable to seek other employment or escape her situation.
Prosecutors described Mugambe’s actions as an egregious abuse of her position, taking advantage of the victim’s lack of understanding of her rights.
Mugambe attempted to evade justice by claiming diplomatic immunity due to her position as a UN judge.
However, the United Nations Secretary-General’s office waived her immunity, allowing the prosecution to proceed.
In bodycam footage released by Thames Valley Police, Mugambe denied wrongdoing during her arrest, claiming she was not a criminal and had brought the victim to the UK out of goodwill.
The case also implicated John Leonard Mugerwa, Uganda’s former Deputy High Commissioner, who allegedly facilitated the victim’s travel.
However, Mugerwa avoided prosecution due to diplomatic immunity granted by the Ugandan government.
Mugambe’s conviction highlights challenges in holding high-ranking officials accountable for human trafficking crimes.
Mugambe will be sentenced at a later date.