A prominent Ugandan judge and former member of the United Nations judicial roster, Lydia Mugambe, has been sentenced to six years and four months in prison by Oxford Crown Court for exploiting a young Ugandan woman as a domestic slave while living in the UK.
The 50-year-old jurist, who had been studying for a PhD in law at the University of Oxford, was convicted in March on multiple charges, including conspiring to breach UK immigration law, facilitating travel for exploitation, forced labour, and conspiracy to intimidate a witness, Caliber.Az reports, referring to British media.
Prosecutors revealed that Mugambe abused her high social and legal standing, barring the victim from holding legitimate employment and instead forcing her to work as a maid and provide childcare without pay. Judge Foxton, delivering the sentence, called it a “very sad case” and acknowledged Mugambe’s otherwise notable legal career, particularly her work in the field of human rights. Nonetheless, he criticised her for showing “absolutely no remorse” and attempting to shift blame onto the victim.
A restraining order was also issued, prohibiting Mugambe from any direct or indirect contact with the victim.
In a statement read in court by prosecutor Caroline Haughey KC, the victim described living in "almost constant fear," particularly given Mugambe’s influential status back in Uganda. She said she fears returning to her home country and now believes she may never see her mother again.
The court heard that Mugambe had misled the woman about the nature of her trip to the UK and had taken advantage of her lack of understanding of British employment laws. Haughey described a “clear and significant imbalance of power” in their relationship and confirmed that the victim has since been granted asylum in the UK due to a well-founded fear of persecution in Uganda.
Mugambe, who had served as a high court judge in Uganda, resigned from her post on the UN judicial roster following her conviction. According to the UN’s official website, she was appointed in May 2023, just three months after British police first responded to allegations at her home in Oxfordshire.
Defence lawyer Paul Raudnitz KC appealed to the court to consider Mugambe’s “glittering legal career” and noted the strong support she had received since her conviction. Outside the court, a small group of supporters gathered with placards, chanting “Justice for Lydia Mugambe” in her defence.
By Tamilla Hasanova
Source: caliber.az
scorpion.az