49-year-old Lydia Mugambe, a UN judge and also a judge of the Supreme Court of Uganda, allegedly lured her compatriot to the UK, confiscated his documents, and forced him to do housework and childcare.
Lydia Mugambe
Photo: Ugandan Courts
A UK court found her guilty of violating immigration laws, exploiting human labor, and intimidating a witness. Mugabe carried out the acts while studying for a doctorate in law at Oxford University.
He resisted arrest by Thames Valley Police, claiming diplomatic immunity. The words were captured on body camera footage.
“I am a judge in my own country, I have immunity. I am not a criminal. I have a diplomatic passport,” he said.
Details from the trial
The prosecutor in the case, Caroline Haughey KC, said in the courtroom that “Lydia Mugabe exploited the victim’s labour and took advantage of her ignorance of her rights. The bench agreed with the prosecutor’s case.
According to court documents, Mugabe brought the victim to Britain “to make his life easier and to find a maid at the cheapest possible cost.”
“Mugabe brought the young woman to Britain for his own personal convenience and mistreated her. Knowing the law well, he did not hesitate to deceive not only the victim but also the police who were trying to protect her,” prosecutor Haughey added.
According to official UN data, Mugabe was included in the organization’s list of judges in May 2023. However, by that time, an investigation had already begun against him.
The fact is that the police visited his home three months before the incident. This suggests that the criminal case may have been ignored or left uninvestigated during Mugabe’s appointment.
The court will pronounce its verdict on May 2.
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