Uganda High court judge Lydia Mugambe jailed for 6 years for enslaving woman in UK

Lydia Mugambe, a judge of Uganda’s High court and a member of the United Nations’ judicial roster, has been sentenced to six years and four months in prison by a UK court after being convicted of forcing a young Ugandan woman into domestic servitude.

The 50-year-old judge was found guilty by Oxford Crown Court on charges including conspiracy to facilitate a breach of UK immigration law, facilitating travel with a view to exploitation, forced labour, and conspiracy to intimidate a witness.

During the trial, the court heard that Mugambe had trafficked her victim, whose identity remains protected for legal reasons, to the UK under false pretences. Once in Britain, the woman was forced to work without pay as a maid and provide childcare, while being prevented from seeking lawful employment.

Caroline Haughey KC, prosecuting, told the court: “Lydia Mugambe exploited and abused her victim, taking advantage of her limited understanding of her rights to proper employment and deceiving her about the purpose of her travel to the UK.”

Mugambe’s crimes came to light in February 2023, when police were called to her home in Oxfordshire. Despite this, she was appointed to the United Nations’ judicial roster three months later, in May 2023.

In addition to her UN role, Mugambe has served as a judge of Uganda’s High court since 2013. She previously worked with the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), first as a legal officer (2005–2010) and later as an appeals counsel (2010–2013).

Her legal career began in Uganda’s judiciary in 2000. A prominent figure in international judicial circles, Mugambe is affiliated with several professional organisations, including the International Association of Women Judges and the Commonwealth Magistrates’ and Judges’ Association.

She has published widely on human rights and children’s rights issues. Mugambe holds law degrees from Makerere University (Uganda), the University of Pretoria (South Africa), and Lund University (Sweden). She was called to the Ugandan Bar in 1998 and is currently pursuing a doctorate in law at the University of Oxford. She is fluent in English and has working knowledge of French.