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UN judge found guilty of modern slavery offences
March 14, 2025
A Ugandan United Nations Criminal Tribunal judge has been convicted of modern slavery offences after trafficking a young woman to the UK to work as her slave.
The conviction comes after Justice and Care supported the survivor through the court case and acted as a trusted bridge between her and the police.
We will continue to support her, alongside other charities, as she moves forward with her life after being exploited in domestic servitude.
The woman, from Uganda, believed judge Lydia Mugambe would help her find a job after she obtained a visa for her to work in the UK and paid for her plane ticket. But when she arrived, she was forced to do unpaid work as a domestic maid and nanny in Mugambe’s household.
The woman told police she was prevented from securing other employment as she was under Ms Mugambe’s ‘instruction’ and that she was scared to tell people of her situation as it may get back to Mugambe.
In February 2023, Thames Valley Police received a report that the woman was trapped in exploitation in Kidlington, Oxfordshire and launched an investigation.
One of our Victim Navigators supported the survivor to bravely give evidence via video link for more than a week after her trafficker denied the charges and forced a trial.
Oxford Crown Court heard that Mugambe, who is also a High Court judge in Uganda, had the intention of ‘obtaining someone to make her life easier and at the least possible cost to herself’.
On Thursday, Mugambe was found guilty of facilitating travel with a view to exploitation and forcing someone to work. She was also convicted of conspiracy to intimidate a witness and conspiring to facilitate the commission of a breach of UK immigration law.
Mugambe conspired with then-Ugandan deputy high commissioner John Mugerwa to arrange for the woman to come to the UK, according to the prosecution. Thames Valley Police investigated Mugerwa’s involvement in its case, but he had diplomatic immunity, which the Ugandan Government did not waive, meaning he could not be charged with any offences.
Mugambe had tried to evade justice by claiming diplomatic immunity through her position as a UN judge, but any protection she had was waived by the Office of the United Nations Secretary General.
Debi Lloyd, Head of UK Counter Trafficking Operations at Justice and Care said: ‘It has been our honour to support the survivor in this case to stand up against her trafficker. We are in awe of her courage and thrilled that justice will be served.
‘This case showcases the strong partnership between our Victim Navigators and police, and we hope the verdict sends a clear message to other traffickers that no matter their status or position, they will be pursued.’
Chief Superintendent Ben Clark said: ‘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.
‘I would also like to thank Justice and Care as well as the National Crime Agency Specialist Witness Team, both of who have provided additional support to the victim throughout this process.
‘I want to appeal to anyone who is a victim of modern slavery or suspects that modern slavery is being committed to contact Thames Valley Police. We will listen and we will help you.’