Lydia Mugambe misled her victim into traveling from Uganda to the UK, then confiscated her passport and forced her to do unpaid domestic work

A judge for the UN and Ugandan High Court has been found guilty in the UK of forcing a young woman into slavery. The verdict was delivered on Thursday by the Oxford Crown Court. 

Prosecutors argued that Lydia Mugambe deceived the victim into traveling from Uganda to the UK under the pretense of legitimate employment. Upon arrival, the woman was compelled to work without pay as a maid and to provide childcare services. Mugambe confiscated her passport and visa, restricting her freedom and ability to seek help.   

The jury convicted Mugambe on counts including breaching UK immigration law, facilitating travel for exploitation, forced labor, and conspiracy to intimidate a witness.

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"Lydia Mugambe has exploited and abused [alleged victim], taking advantage of her lack of understanding of her rights to properly paid employment and deceiving her as to the purpose of her coming to the UK," Caroline Haughey KC, the prosecuting lawyer, stated during the trial. 

The defendant denied coercing her victim into performing household chores, asserting that she had "always" treated her with love, care, and patience. However, the young woman, whose identity remains protected for legal reasons, testified in court that she felt "lonely" and trapped after coming to the UK, as her working hours elsewhere were restricted. 

Mugambe attempted to claim diplomatic immunity during her arrest, citing her positions as a judge in Uganda and at the UN. However, the UN waived any immunity she might have had, allowing the legal proceedings to continue. 

The defendant is scheduled to be sentenced on May 2. Under UK law, modern slavery offenses carry severe penalties, with the maximum sentence being life imprisonment.  

According to her UN profile page, Mugambe was appointed to one of the global body's international courts in May 2023.