UN judge convicted of slavery offences at Oxford Crown Court

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn892zq6z43o

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Lydia Mugambe is a United Nations and High Court judge

A United Nations judge has been convicted of forcing a young woman to work as a slave.

Prosecutors said Lydia Mugambe, 49, "took advantage of her status" over her victim in the "most egregious way" by preventing her from holding down steady employment and forcing her to work as her maid and to provide childcare for free.

Mugambe, who is also a High Court judge in Uganda, was found guilty on Thursday of conspiring to facilitate the commission of a breach of UK immigration law, facilitating travel with a view to exploitation, forcing someone to work, and conspiracy to intimidate a witness following a trial at Oxford Crown Court.

She will be sentenced at the same court on May 2.

Gasps were heard from the public gallery as the verdicts were given, and the court was cleared as the defendant appeared unwell.

Caroline Haughey KC, prosecuting, told jurors during the trial: "Lydia Mugambe has exploited and abused (her alleged victim), taking advantage of her lack of understanding of her rights to properly paid employment and deceiving her as to the purpose of her coming to the UK."

Jurors accepted the prosecution's case that Mugambe - who was studying for a law PhD at the University of Oxford - had engaged in "illegal folly" with Ugandan deputy high commissioner John Leonard Mugerwa in which they conspired to arrange for the young woman to come to the UK.

Prosecutors said the pair participated in a "very dishonest" trade-off, in which Mr Mugerwa arranged for the Ugandan High Commission to sponsor the woman's entrance into the UK in exchange for Mugambe attempting to speak to a judge who was in charge of legal action Mr Mugerwa was named in.

Jurors also accepted that the defendant conspired to intimidate the woman to withdraw her support for the prosecution, and to have the charges against her dropped.

Mugambe's trial heard she had the intention of "obtaining someone to make her life easier and at the least possible cost to herself".

Mugambe denied forcing the young Ugandan woman to do household chores and said she "always" treated her with love, care and patience.

The young woman Mugambe tricked into coming to the UK, who cannot be named for legal reasons, told the court previously she felt "lonely" and "stuck" after her working hours were limited.

According to her UN profile page, Mugambe was appointed to the body's judicial roster in May 2023 - three months after police were called to her address in Oxfordshire.

Thames Valley Police commander for Oxfordshire, Ch Supt Ben Clark said: "Lydia Mugambe is an extremely qualified lawyer, a Ugandan High Court judge and a UN Criminal Tribunal judge.

"After the offences had been reported to the police, Mugambe tried to evade justice by repeatedly claiming she had diplomatic immunity due to her status. Any immunity Mugambe may have enjoyed as a UN judge has been waivered by the Office of the United Nations Secretary General.

"I want to commend the victim for her bravery in coming forward to report the offences. I, and the whole investigation team, wish her all the best for her future now she is out of servitude and justice has been served."

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