A United Nations-appointed judge, Lydia Mugambe, has been handed a custodial sentence of six years and four months by Oxford Crown Court after being found guilty of exploiting a young Ugandan woman as a domestic slave during Mugambe’s doctoral studies in the UK (The Guardian, AP News).
Mugambe, aged 50 and also serving as a High Court judge in Uganda, was convicted in March 2025 on four counts: conspiring to facilitate immigration breaches, causing a person to perform forced labour, arranging travel for the purpose of exploitation, and conspiring to intimidate a witness (The Guardian).
Prosecutors detailed how Mugambe abused her legal standing to prevent the victim from finding legitimate employment, instead compelling her to work unpaid as a housekeeper and childcare provider (The Guardian, AP News). The judge’s position and influence were used to instill fear and maintain control over the young woman, whose identity remains protected by law (The Guardian).
At sentencing, Mr Justice Foxton described the case as profoundly distressing given Mugambe’s prior reputation in human rights law, noting she exhibited “absolutely no remorse” and attempted to shift blame onto her victim (The Guardian, AP News). A restraining order was imposed to bar Mugambe from all direct or indirect contact with the complainant (The Guardian).
In a victim impact statement read aloud by prosecutor Caroline Haughey KC, the woman recounted living in “almost constant fear” because of Mugambe’s political connections in Uganda, and explained she could no longer return home out of concern for her safety (The Guardian). The court heard how Mugambe misled her about her visa status and employment rights, isolating her and confiscating her passport to prevent escape (AP News).
Defence counsel Paul Raudnitz KC highlighted Mugambe’s “distinguished legal career” and noted her resignation from her UN judicial roster following the conviction (The Guardian). Despite a small group of supporters gathering outside the court chanting “Justice for Lydia Mugambe,” the judge made clear that her status offered no exemption from UK law (The Guardian, AP News).
Mugambe had been appointed to the UN’s International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals in May 2023, three months after Thames Valley Police were first contacted about suspected modern‑slavery offences at her Oxfordshire residence (Wikipedia). Any claim of diplomatic or judicial immunity was subsequently waived by the UN Secretary‑General’s office, clearing the way for prosecution (Wikipedia).
The sentence marks a significant precedent: a senior international jurist held accountable under the UK’s Modern Slavery Act, reinforcing the principle that no one is above the law when it comes to human‑rights violations (The Guardian, AP News).
Key Points:
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Defendant: Lydia Mugambe, UN judge and Ugandan High Court justice
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Victim: Young Ugandan woman, identity protected
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Convictions: Forced labour; immigration facilitation; witness intimidation; arranging travel for exploitation
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Sentence: Six years, four months imprisonment
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Additional Measures: Restraining order; waiver of any claimed immunity
This case underlines the UK judiciary’s commitment to prosecuting modern‑slavery offences, regardless of the defendant’s international standing.
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