Lydia Mugambe, a United Nations judge and Ugandan High Court justice, has been sentenced to six years and four months in prison after being found guilty of enslaving a young Ugandan woman while studying for her PhD at the University of Oxford.
The 50-year-old judge was convicted at Oxford Crown Court in March on multiple charges, including facilitating modern slavery, breaching UK immigration law, and conspiring to intimidate a witness.
According to prosecutors, Mugambe abused her status and influence to manipulate and control the woman, exploiting her vulnerability and lack of knowledge about UK employment laws. The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was brought to the UK under false pretenses and forced to work as a maid and provide childcare for Mugambe, with little freedom to live or work independently.
Footage released by police showed Mugambe visibly shocked during her arrest under the Modern Slavery Act. In disbelief, she told officers, “I am a judge in my country, I even have immunity. I am not a criminal.”
Despite her claims, the court found she had deliberately misled the victim, stopping her from finding steady work and coercing her into domestic servitude.
The court also heard that Mugambe conspired with John Leonard Mugerwa, the Ugandan deputy high commissioner, in a dishonest scheme to secure the woman’s UK visa. Mr. Mugerwa arranged for the Ugandan High Commission to sponsor her entry into the country in exchange for Mugambe’s promise to influence a legal case in Uganda involving him.
During the trial, Caroline Haughey KC, prosecuting, said Mugambe used manipulation and intimidation tactics in an attempt to derail the prosecution. She reportedly contacted a pastor and members of the woman’s family, urging them to persuade her to withdraw the case. An email was also sent directly to the victim as part of this pressure campaign.
Victim Felt “Stuck and Lonely”
In court, the young woman described feeling isolated and trapped, especially after her work hours were restricted due to her immigration status. She said Mugambe treated her as a servant rather than a guest or colleague.
Mugambe denied all charges, claiming she had treated the woman with “love, care, and patience.”
According to her UN profile, Mugambe was appointed to the UN judicial roster in May 2023—just three months after police were called to her residence in Oxfordshire. This timeline has raised questions about vetting and oversight in international appointments.
The case has sparked outrage and renewed scrutiny over abuse of diplomatic status, modern slavery in the UK, and accountability among high-ranking officials.
