A UK court has sentenced UN judge Lydia Mugambe to six years and four months for enslaving a young Ugandan woman.
Oxford Court Finds UN Judge Guilty of Multiple Crimes
Oxford Crown Court convicted 50-year-old Mugambe of several offences. These included conspiracy to breach UK immigration law, forced labour, exploitation, and witness intimidation.
Mugambe, a Ugandan High Court judge and recent UN judicial appointee, committed the crimes while studying for a PhD at Oxford University.
Judge Lured Victim with False Promises
The court heard that Mugambe deceived the woman into travelling to the UK with false promises of opportunity. Once there, she forced the victim to work as a maid and unpaid nanny while preventing her from seeking paid jobs.
Prosecutors said Mugambe exploited the woman’s vulnerability and “took advantage of her status in the most egregious way.”
Police Arrested Mugambe Before Her UN Appointment
Thames Valley Police arrested Mugambe three months before her UN appointment in May 2023. When confronted, she claimed diplomatic immunity and denied wrongdoing.
She told officers the woman had come with her willingly, insisting she was not a criminal.
Judge Condemns Lack of Remorse
At sentencing on May 2, Judge David Foxton acknowledged Mugambe’s background in human rights law. However, he criticized her for showing no remorse and trying to blame the victim.
The judge called the case “very sad” but affirmed that justice must be upheld.
Victim Feared for Her Life
In court, the victim revealed she lived in “almost constant fear” because of Mugambe’s influence in Uganda. She said she might never see her mother again and feared returning home.
Prosecution Highlights Deliberate Exploitation
Prosecutor Caroline Haughey KC told the court that Mugambe knowingly exploited the woman’s ignorance of her rights. “She used her to serve her own interests,” Haughey said.
Conclusion
This high-profile human trafficking case underscores that no one is above the law-even those sworn to uphold it.
