A United Nations judge and Ugandan High Court Justice, Lydia Mugambe, has been convicted in the United Kingdom on modern slavery charges. The charges include facilitating illegal immigration, forced labor, and witness intimidation.
The ruling was delivered by Oxford Crown Court, where the prosecution detailed how Justice Mugambe, 49, abused her authority to exploit a young woman. She had lured the young woman to the UK under false pretences.
Exploitation Under False Promises
According to court documents, Justice Mugambe misled the victim with promises of legal employment while pursuing her PhD at Oxford University. Instead, the woman was forced to work as a maid and provide childcare services without pay.
Prosecutors argued that Mugambe took “advantage of her status in the most egregious way.” They say she restricted the victim’s ability to find other employment and subjecting her to exploitative conditions.
During the trial, the jury was shown police bodycam footage from February 10, 2023, when officers arrived at Mugambe’s Oxfordshire residence following reports of forced labor. The footage reportedly captured the victim stating she was not allowed to leave until she repaid Mugambe for her travel expenses. Meanwhile, Mugambe was allegedly recorded telling officers that the victim was “acting funny” and prioritizing work over childcare.
Prosecutor Caroline Haughey KC told the court, “Lydia Mugambe exploited and abused the victim. She took advantage of her lack of understanding of her rights and deceived her as to the purpose of her coming to the UK.”
Illegal Arrangements and Witness Intimidation
The case also revealed an alleged conspiracy between Justice Mugambe and Uganda’s deputy high commissioner, John Leonard Mugerwa. Prosecutors said the duo orchestrated the victim’s UK entry through the Ugandan High Commission. This was in exchange for Mugambe attempting to influence a legal case against Mugerwa.
The court heard that Mugambe’s ultimate aim was to obtain a domestic worker at “the least possible cost to herself.”
The victim, whose identity remains protected, testified that she felt “lonely” and “stuck” due to restrictions placed on her movements and working hours.
Despite her claims of having treated the woman with “love, care, and patience,” Justice Mugambe was found guilty of all charges.
A conviction for modern slavery in the UK carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
Who is Justice Lydia Mugambe?
Justice Mugambe is a prominent Ugandan legal expert with extensive experience in international law, human rights, and commercial arbitration.
She has served as a judge of the High Court in Uganda since 2013. She has worked with institutions such as the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda. Others are the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the International Bar Association in London.
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Mugambe holds multiple law degrees from universities including Oxford, Lund, and Pretoria. She has also received prestigious awards for her work in human rights and legal reform.
Her conviction marks a dramatic fall from grace for one once recognised for her contributions to justice and human rights.
The sentencing hearing is expected in the coming weeks.
