A prominent Ugandan judge and former United Nations judicial officer, Lydia Mugambe, has been sentenced to six years and four months in prison by a UK court after being found guilty of forcing a young Ugandan woman into domestic servitude.
The 50-year-old was convicted in March at Oxford Crown Court on multiple charges, including conspiracy to breach UK immigration law, facilitating travel for exploitation, forced labor, and conspiracy to intimidate a witness.
During her time pursuing a PhD in law at the University of Oxford, Mugambe exploited her high status and took advantage of the victim’s vulnerable position, prosecutors said.
The court heard that Mugambe prevented the woman from gaining lawful employment and instead compelled her to work as a maid and childcare provider under coercive conditions.
Presiding Judge Foxton described it as a “very sad case,” acknowledging Mugambe’s prior reputation and accomplishments in the field of human rights.
However, he condemned her lack of remorse, noting that she attempted to blame the victim entirely.
“She showed absolutely no remorse,” Foxton said, and added that Mugambe’s actions were a “most egregious” abuse of power.
As part of the sentence, a restraining order was issued prohibiting Mugambe from contacting the victim, directly or indirectly.
In a statement read by prosecutor Caroline Haughey KC, the victim spoke of enduring “almost constant fear” due to Mugambe’s influential position in Uganda.
The young woman, whose identity remains protected, expressed fear of returning to Uganda, stating she may never see her mother again.
Haughey explained that Mugambe had manipulated the victim’s lack of knowledge of UK labor laws and misled her about the reasons for her travel to Britain.
The court also heard that the woman has now been granted asylum in the UK, having demonstrated a well-founded fear of persecution.
Defence counsel Paul Raudnitz KC appealed to the court to consider Mugambe’s “glittering legal career” and noted the support she had received since her conviction.
He confirmed that Mugambe had resigned from her UN judicial position following the verdict.
Before sentencing, a small group of supporters gathered outside the court holding signs and chanting “Justice for Lydia Mugambe.”
Mugambe had been appointed to the United Nations judicial roster in May 2023, three months after police first intervened at her residence in Oxfordshire.
