A United Nations judge has been sentenced to six years and four months in prison for enslaving a young Ugandan woman in the UK.
Lydia Mugambe, 50, was found guilty in March of multiple offences, including conspiracy to breach UK immigration law, facilitating travel for exploitation, forced labor, and witness intimidation. At the time, she was studying for a PhD in law at the University of Oxford.
Oxford Crown Court heard that Mugambe, who also serves as a high court judge in Uganda, abused her authority and prevented the woman from obtaining lawful employment, instead forcing her to work as a domestic servant and provide childcare.
Judge Foxton, who handed down the sentence on Friday, described the case as “very sad,” noting Mugambe’s distinguished background in human rights law. However, he also emphasized that Mugambe showed “absolutely no remorse” and attempted to shift blame onto her victim.
In addition to the prison term, Mugambe was issued a restraining order barring her from contacting the victim, either directly or indirectly.
A statement from the victim, read in court by prosecutor Caroline Haughey KC, described the trauma she endured and her ongoing fear due to Mugambe’s influence in Uganda. She said she feared returning to her home country and may never reunite with her mother.
Haughey explained that Mugambe exploited the woman’s lack of awareness regarding UK employment rights and misled her about the reasons for her travel.
The imbalance of power in the relationship was “clear and significant,” she added. The victim has since been granted asylum in the UK based on her fear of persecution.
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Defense counsel Paul Raudnitz KC acknowledged Mugambe’s “glittering legal career” and the support she had received since her conviction. He also confirmed that Mugambe has resigned from her post as a UN judge.
A small group of supporters gathered outside the court before sentencing, holding placards and chanting “Justice for Lydia Mugambe.”
According to the UN website, Mugambe was appointed to the organization’s judicial roster in May 2023, three months after police were first called to her Oxfordshire residence.
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