UN judge deceived woman to work as slave while studying for her law PhD at the University of Oxford, a court has heard. Lydia Mugambe, a judge at a United Nations criminal tribunal and a High Court judge in Uganda, allegedly deceived a young Ugandan woman into coming to the UK under false pretenses.
The victim was made to perform unpaid domestic work and childcare while being prevented from securing independent employment. Prosecutors argue that Mugambe exploited her power and legal knowledge to manipulate and control the woman, depriving her of financial independence and personal freedom.
A Judge’s Deception and Exploitation
According to the prosecution, Lydia Mugambe deliberately misled the young Ugandan woman into believing she was coming to the UK for legitimate opportunities.
Instead, she was subjected to forced labor under the guise of domestic work and childcare. The woman was allegedly manipulated into serving as a personal maid for Mugambe while she pursued her law PhD at the University of Oxford.
The case against Mugambe highlights how individuals in positions of power can exploit their authority for personal gain. Despite being a legal expert, Mugambe allegedly engaged in behavior that directly violated human rights and labor laws.
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The court was told that she controlled the young woman’s access to employment, ensuring she remained financially dependent and unable to seek outside work.
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In addition to the forced labor, the victim was allegedly kept in a state of fear and coercion. Any attempt to assert independence or gain access to her identification documents was met with threats of deportation and claims that she owed Mugambe an undisclosed travel debt. The victim’s vulnerability and lack of legal knowledge made her an easy target for such manipulation.
The Role of the Ugandan High Commission and Diplomatic Ties
A key figure in this case is John Leonard Mugerwa, the deputy high commissioner of Uganda, who is accused of conspiring with Mugambe to facilitate the woman’s entry into the UK.
Prosecutors allege that Mugerwa arranged for the Ugandan High Commission to sponsor the victim’s visa under false pretenses. Official records suggested she was entering the UK as a domestic worker in Mugerwa’s household, when in reality, she was meant to serve Mugambe’s needs.
This arrangement has raised serious concerns about diplomatic processes and their potential for misuse. Mugambe allegedly assured Mugerwa that she would use her judicial connections to influence a legal case in Uganda in exchange for his role in securing the victim’s UK entry. Such a deal, if proven, would constitute a significant abuse of diplomatic and legal authority.
The deception extended to attempts at covering up the crime. When questioned by authorities, Mugambe reportedly claimed diplomatic immunity through her UN position, arguing that she could not be arrested or charged.
However, an investigation by the Metropolitan Police’s diplomatic unit confirmed that she had no registered diplomatic immunity in the UK. This revelation further exposed the extent of Mugambe’s alleged dishonesty and the lengths she was willing to go to avoid accountability.
Intimidation and Attempts to Silence the Victim
Beyond the forced labor allegations, Mugambe is also accused of attempting to intimidate the victim into withdrawing her case. Prosecutors claim that she reached out to a pastor and the victim’s family, urging them to persuade her to drop the charges. Mugambe’s alleged tactics included direct communication, familial pressure, and leveraging community figures to exert psychological influence on the victim.
Court records reveal that Mugambe sent messages acknowledging that legal action against her was imminent, instructing an associate to ensure the victim was pressured into retracting her claims. These actions suggest a calculated effort to obstruct justice and prevent the truth from emerging in court.
The prosecution has argued that Mugambe’s behavior contradicts her professional role as a judge responsible for upholding the law. Instead of protecting justice, she allegedly sought to manipulate and exploit a vulnerable individual for personal benefit.
The case has drawn significant attention, as it raises questions about accountability within international institutions and how figures of authority can be held responsible for crimes they commit.
Mugambe’s trial is expected to last three weeks, during which the court will examine evidence, witness testimonies, and the full extent of her alleged misconduct.
She has denied all charges, maintaining that she did not exploit or intimidate the victim. However, the prosecution remains steadfast in its argument that her actions demonstrate a blatant disregard for the law and human rights.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing fight against modern slavery and human trafficking, even among those who are supposed to uphold justice.
It highlights the vulnerabilities that many migrant workers face and the urgent need for stronger legal protections to prevent such abuses in the future. As the trial unfolds, the world watches closely to see whether justice will be served in holding Lydia Mugambe accountable for her alleged crimes.