By Our Reporter
A Ugandan High Court judge and former United Nations legal official has been sentenced to prison in the United Kingdom after being convicted of trafficking and exploiting a fellow Ugandan woman under the pretext of diplomatic employment.
Lydia Mugambe, 50, who previously served on the United Nations Criminal Tribunal, was handed the sentence in a UK court following a March conviction on multiple charges related to modern slavery and immigration fraud.
According to Thames Valley Police, Mugambe orchestrated the trafficking of the victim by facilitating a visa under the guise of official employment with Uganda’s Deputy High Commissioner in London, John Leonard Mugerwa. Instead, the victim was held at Mugambe’s private residence in Kidlington, Oxfordshire, where she was forced to work unpaid as a domestic worker and nanny.
During the trial, the court heard that Mugambe conspired to breach immigration laws, facilitated travel with the intent to exploit, subjected the woman to forced labour, and attempted to intimidate a witness involved in the case.
Police investigators established that Mugambe, who was studying in the UK at the time, lacked legal authority to sponsor a visa. The diplomatic sponsorship was arranged by Mugerwa, who, prosecutors claimed, acted with knowledge that the woman would end up working for Mugambe.
The prosecution further revealed that Mugambe allegedly offered to assist Mugerwa in resolving a legal matter back in Uganda as part of the exchange. Despite being investigated for his role, Mugerwa could not be prosecuted due to his diplomatic immunity, which the Ugandan government declined to waive.
The victim, whose identity has been permanently withheld for her protection, testified that she initially placed her trust in Mugambe, only to face abuse, threats, and emotional control.
“She told me she had authority and could burn my passport and bank card,” the victim said in a statement read in court. “I should have been treated with dignity, not as if I were worthless.”
The court ordered Mugambe to pay the victim £12,160 (approximately UGX 58 million) in compensation and issued a restraining order to prevent future contact.
Chief Superintendent Ben Clark of Thames Valley Police described the case as a stark reminder that modern slavery can be perpetrated by individuals in positions of power and respect.
“This was an extremely qualified legal professional who clearly knew her actions were criminal,” Clark said.
Mugambe’s sentencing comes shortly after Uganda expanded its prisoner transfer legislation with the UK, raising speculation over whether she may opt to serve her sentence back home under the amended Transfer of Convicted Offenders Act.
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