A United Nations judge has been convicted of enslaving a young woman in the United Kingdom.
Lydia Mugambe, a 49-year-old High Court judge in Uganda, was found guilty of “conspiring to facilitate a breach of UK immigration law,” “facilitating travel with a view to exploitation,” “forcing someone to work,” and “conspiracy to intimidate a witness.”
Mugambe, who was pursuing a law PhD at the University of Oxford, denied the charges. However, prosecutors argued that she exploited and mistreated the young woman, taking advantage of her lack of awareness regarding her rights to fair employment.
According to court evidence, Mugambe conspired with John Leonard Mugerwa, Uganda’s Deputy High Commissioner, to arrange the woman’s entry into the UK.
The two were accused of engaging in a “very dishonest” exchange, where Mugerwa facilitated the Ugandan High Commission’s sponsorship of the woman’s entry into the UK in return for Mugambe attempting to influence a judge handling a legal matter involving Mugerwa.
The young woman testified that she felt “lonely” and “stuck” due to restrictions on her working hours.
Mugambe was also convicted of “conspiring to intimidate” the woman into withdrawing her support for the prosecution and dropping the charges against her.
Jurors were told that Mugambe’s intent was “obtaining someone to make her life easier and at the least possible cost to herself.”
Although she claimed to have treated the woman with love, care, and patience, the jury dismissed her defense.
Following her arrest, Mugambe asserted that she had diplomatic immunity as a UN judge. However, Thames Valley Police in Oxfordshire stated that any immunity she might have had was “waived by the office of the United Nations Secretary-General.”
Mugambe is scheduled for sentencing at Oxford Crown Court on May 2.
She was appointed to the UN judicial roster in May 2023, three months after police responded to a call at her Oxfordshire residence.
