By metros.co.ke/
Published: May 2, 2025
Lydia Mugambe, a 50-year-old Ugandan High Court judge and United Nations judicial appointee, has been sentenced to six years and four months in prison after being found guilty of enslaving a young Ugandan woman while pursuing her PhD at the University of Oxford.
The conviction, handed down at Oxford Crown Court in March, covers multiple charges, including:
Conspiring to intimidate a witness
Facilitating modern slavery
Breaching UK immigration law
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Abuse of Status and Power
Prosecutors revealed that Mugambe exploited her position to manipulate and control the victim, taking advantage of her vulnerability and unfamiliarity with UK employment laws.
The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was brought to the UK under false pretenses, forced to work as a maid, provide childcare, and live under restricted freedoms.
Police footage shows Mugambe shocked at her arrest, insisting:
“I am a judge in my country, I even have immunity. I am not a criminal.”
Despite her claims, the court found she deliberately misled and coerced the victim into domestic servitude.
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Conspiracy with Ugandan Deputy High Commissioner
The trial also revealed that Mugambe conspired with John Leonard Mugerwa, the Ugandan deputy high commissioner, to secure the victim’s UK visa in exchange for Mugambe’s promise to influence a legal case in Uganda.
During the trial, prosecuting lawyer Caroline Haughey KC detailed attempts by Mugambe to pressure the victim through family members, a pastor, and direct emails to withdraw the case.
Victim’s Testimony
The young woman described feeling isolated and trapped, restricted from pursuing employment due to her immigration status. She said Mugambe treated her as a servant rather than a guest or colleague.
Mugambe denied the charges, claiming she acted with “love, care, and patience.”
Victim Felt “Stuck and Lonely”
In Concerns Over UN Appointment
Mugambe was appointed to the UN judicial roster in May 2023, only three months after police were called to her Oxfordshire residence. This has raised questions about vetting and oversight for international appointments.
The case has sparked outrage and renewed focus on:
Accountability among high-ranking officials
