The UK Oxford Crown Court found Ugandan judge Lydia Mugambe guilty of modern slavery on Thursday. This 49-year-old United Nations criminal tribunal judge brought a young Ugandan girl to England as her unpaid housemaid. Mugambe created fake papers for the girl's work visa, lying that she would work for John Leonard Mugerwa, who served as Ugandan high commissioner. She promised the girl pay plus chances to find other jobs.
The truth came out during her trial that started on February 17. Mugambe never gave the girl money for childcare work. She kept the girl's ID papers, making it hard for her to find steady jobs elsewhere. After just two days of thinking about the case, the jury said Mugambe broke several laws. They convicted her of helping someone break UK immigration rules, arranging travel for exploitation, forcing someone into labor, and trying to scare a witness.
These serious crimes carry heavy penalties. People found guilty of slavery and human trafficking can go to prison for life. During the court case, the jury heard how the victim felt completely alone with very limited working hours. She lost all hope and felt trapped by her situation, with nowhere to turn for help.
The Honorable Mr. Justice Foxton supervised the entire trial at Oxford Crown Court. He will decide Mugambe's punishment at a later date. The judge faces severe consequences for using her powerful position to take advantage of a vulnerable person. Her status as both an Oxford University law PhD student and a respected international judge did not protect her from being held accountable for these actions.
The truth came out during her trial that started on February 17. Mugambe never gave the girl money for childcare work. She kept the girl's ID papers, making it hard for her to find steady jobs elsewhere. After just two days of thinking about the case, the jury said Mugambe broke several laws. They convicted her of helping someone break UK immigration rules, arranging travel for exploitation, forcing someone into labor, and trying to scare a witness.
These serious crimes carry heavy penalties. People found guilty of slavery and human trafficking can go to prison for life. During the court case, the jury heard how the victim felt completely alone with very limited working hours. She lost all hope and felt trapped by her situation, with nowhere to turn for help.
The Honorable Mr. Justice Foxton supervised the entire trial at Oxford Crown Court. He will decide Mugambe's punishment at a later date. The judge faces severe consequences for using her powerful position to take advantage of a vulnerable person. Her status as both an Oxford University law PhD student and a respected international judge did not protect her from being held accountable for these actions.
