Ugandan High Court judge and a United Nations Criminal Tribunal judge, Lydia Mugambe, has been jailed for six years and four months for forcing a woman to work as a domestic slave.
She was also ordered to pay the victim compensation totalling £12,160.
In addition, an Indefinite Restraining Order preventing Mugambe from contacting the victim directly or indirectly has been granted.
Lydia Mugambe, 50, was studying for a PhD in law at the University of Oxford when police discovered she had a young Ugandan woman at her home carrying out unpaid work as a maid and nanny.
Mugambe was jailed at Oxford Crown Court on Friday after she was found guilty of modern day slavery offences on March 13, 2025.
In sentencing, Judge David Foxton told the defendant she “showed absolutely no remorse” for her actions and she had looked to “forcibly blame” the victim for what happened.
Specifically, was convicted and sentenced for the following offences:
- Conspiring to do an act to facilitate the commission of a breach of UK immigration law by a non-UK national
- Arranging or facilitating travel of another person with a view to exploitation
- Requiring a person to perform forced or compulsory labour
- Conspiracy to intimidate a witness
Eran Cutliffe, Specialist Prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service’s Special Crime Division, said: “The victim showed tremendous bravery in speaking out and supporting the prosecution of the powerful woman who exploited her.
“I hope the Jury’s verdict provides her with some closure and ability to rebuild her life.”
Lynette Woodrow, Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor and national lead for modern slavery, said: “Lydia Mugambe took advantage of the young victim’s lack of understanding of her rights to properly paid employment.
“She exploited and abused the victim, who was hidden in plain sight through forced labour working as a maid and providing childcare for free.
“As a qualified lawyer, a Ugandan High Court judge and a United Nations Criminal Tribunal judge, Lydia Mugambe understood the rule of law and chose to overlook it.
“Modern slavery offences such as this one are incredibly serious and can have a profound effect on the lives of victims.
“The CPS is determined to tackle modern slavery, and we will continue to work hard alongside our partners to bring offenders to justice.”
Mugambe fraudulently arranged a visa for the woman but it stipulated she would be paid to work as a private servant at the diplomatic residence of John Mugerwa, Uganda’s former deputy high commissioner based at the country’s embassy in London.
Prosecutors said Mr Mugerwa sponsored the victim’s visa knowing she would actually work in servitude for Mugambe.
In return, Mugambe would provide him assistance in relation to a separate court case in Uganda in which he was a defendant, the court was told.
The trial heard Mugambe paid for the victim’s flight and picked her up from the airport – but the young woman then became a slave at the judge’s home in Kidlington, Oxfordshire.
Mr Foxton described it as a “very sad case” as he outlined Mugambe’s legal accomplishments, including her work in the protection of human rights.
In a written statement, read to the court by prosecutor Caroline Haughey KC, the victim described living in “almost constant fear” due to Mugambe’s powerful standing in Uganda.
The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said she “can’t go back to Uganda” due to fear of what may happen to her and added that she may never see her mother again.
Ms Haughey said Mugambe exploited her victim by taking advantage of her lack of knowledge about employment rights and misleading her about why she came to the UK.
She said there was a “clear and significant imbalance of power within the relationship” between Mugambe and her victim.
The Crown Prosecution Service authorised police to charge Mr Mugerwa with conspiracy but he had diplomatic immunity, which the Ugandan Government did not waive.
Mugambe had denied forcing the young Ugandan woman to do household chores and said she “always” treated her with love, care and patience.
Ch Supt Ben Clark, of Thames Valley Police, said there was “no doubt” that Mugambe had known she was committing offences.
“Modern slavery is an under reported crime and I hope that the bravery of the victim in this case encourages other victims of modern slavery to come forward,” he said.
A University of Oxford spokesperson said the institution was “appalled” by its student’s crimes.
“The university is now commencing its own disciplinary process, which has the power to remove students convicted of serious criminal offences,” the spokesperson added.
