UN judge from Uganda was convicted in Britain, forcing a woman to enter slavery
LONDON (AP) – A British jury ruled on Thursday that a UN judge forced a young woman to work on slaves after cheating her in the UK
Prosecutors said Lydia Mugambe made Ugandan women work as maids and provided free parenting.
Mugambe is also a high court judge in Uganda, studying his PhD in juris at the time of the crime. She was appointed one of the Global International Court of Justice in May 2023, according to her UN profile page.
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Prosecutor’s attorney Caroline Haughey told jurors during the trial that Mugambe “exploited and abused” the victim, deceived her into coming to the UK and took advantage of her lack of understanding of her rights.
Prosecutors said Mugambe arranged contacts at the Uganda High Commissioner Committee in London to get the women to sign the contract because she would work in the diplomat’s home and office. Upon arriving in the UK, she was taken to Mugambe’s home and worked as an unpaid nanny. Her passport and visa documents were taken from her.
The victim eventually seeks help from friends, which leads to police involvement.
Mugambe, 49, denied the charge. The Oxford Royal Court juror was convicted on all four charges she faced, including immigration, forcing someone to work and conspiring to intimidate witnesses.
As the verdict was read out, the public gallery gasped and cleared the court after Mugambe’s discomfort. She is scheduled to be sentenced on May 2.
“Lydia Mugambe uses her position to leverage a vulnerable young woman to control her freedom and make her work free without payment,” said Eran Cutliffe of the Crown Prosecutor’s Special Crime Division. “It is possible for Ms. Moga to bring Ms. Mugam to justice and to be responsible for her actions due to the courage of the victim.”
