IN a landmark case that has sent shockwaves through the international legal community, Lydia Mugambe, a 49-year-old Ugandan High Court Judge and UN Criminal Tribunal Judge, has been convicted of immigration fraud and modern slavery offences following an extensive investigation by Thames Valley Police.
The Oxford Crown Court jury delivered unanimous guilty verdicts on three serious charges: conspiring to breach UK immigration law, requiring a person to perform forced labour, and witness intimidation. Mugambe was additionally found guilty by a majority verdict of human trafficking for exploitation.
The case unfolded when police received a report in February 2023 that a woman was being held as a slave at Mugambe’s Kidlington residence. Investigators uncovered a sophisticated scheme in which Mugambe collaborated with John Mugerwa, then Deputy High Commissioner at the Ugandan Embassy in London, to circumvent immigration regulations.
Prosecutors revealed that Mugerwa used his diplomatic position to sponsor the victim’s visa as a domestic worker for his household, while secretly arranging for her to work for Mugambe, who was ineligible to sponsor visas as a student in the UK at that time. Evidence showed that Mugambe paid for the victim’s travel to Britain, where she was forced into unpaid domestic servitude as a maid and nanny.
The investigation revealed a quid pro quo arrangement between the two officials, with Mugerwa facilitating the fraudulent visa in exchange for Mugambe’s assistance with a separate court case in Uganda. Despite his involvement, Mugerwa could not be charged as the Ugandan government refused to waive his diplomatic immunity.
Chief Superintendent Ben Clark, Commander for Oxfordshire, highlighted the especially troubling nature of the crime: “Lydia Mugambe is an extremely qualified lawyer, a Ugandan High Court Judge and a UN Criminal Tribunal Judge. As such, there is no doubt that she knew she was committing offences.”
Clark praised the victim’s courage in coming forward and noted how Mugambe “used her position of power as well as her knowledge of the law” to exploit the victim. He also revealed that Mugambe repeatedly attempted to claim diplomatic immunity to evade justice, but any immunity she may have had as a UN Judge was officially waived by the Office of the United Nations Secretary-General.
Thames Valley Police said the case represents a significant victory in the fight against modern slavery in the UK, with Mugambe scheduled for sentencing on May 2 at Oxford Crown Court. Police have urged anyone with information about potential modern slavery situations to come forward, emphasising their commitment to supporting victims.
