Ugandan judge kept slave in UK home and forced her to work as a maid and nanny

A top judge has been jailed after keeping a woman as a slave at her home while she studied at the University of Oxford. Lydia Mugambe, a top Criminal Tribunal Judge, has been handed a six-year and four-month term at Oxford Crown Court following a complex police investigation.

The 50-year-old, of Lyne Road, Kidlington, was sentenced for and modern offences in Oxfordshire, with her victim recalling how she was treated as "useless" and "worthless" by the Ugandan High Court Judge, who was studying a PhD in law. Mugambe also carried out a campaign of terror against her victim, which included making threats to burn her passport and her bank card.

Mugambe has also been given a restraining order, while the victim, who has lifetime anonymity, has been awarded £12,160 in damages. She was found guilty by a jury on four separate charges, including one count of "requiring a person to perform forced or compulsory labour".

Thames Valley Police first received a report that a woman was being held as a slave on February 10, 2023, at Mugambe's then-address in Brasenose Drive, Kidlington. It was later discovered that she had fraudulently obtained a visa for the victim to come and work in Britain.

According to the terms of the visa, the victim was supposed to be paid to work at the Ugandan Embassy in London for the then-Deputy High Commissioner John Mugerwa. However, it transpired that Mugambe actually paid for the victim's plane ticket to the UK, picked her up from the airport, and then forced her to become a domestic maid and nanny for free.

Sharing her heartbreaking ordeal, the victim said: "My existence to Lydia was not important. At first, life was not bad. Lydia promised me things, and I believed her. But in a short time, things changed and she did not do as she had promised.

"It made me feel unhappy, as I couldn't speak to her as I feared her. Even after the police had visited her house on first occasion, Lydia told me she had the authority and that she would burn my passport and bank card. She also said she would call the police because I was in the UK illegally.

"I was fearful and worried. I was asking for God to help me. I should have been treated humanely, not treated as useless or worthless. I now find it extremely difficult to introduce myself to people. If anyone asks me questions, I will very weary. I'm hoping for good things in the future. Everyone in the UK has freedom to speak and people are respected."

Prosecutors alleged that the then-Deputy High Commissioner Mugerwa sponsored the victim's entry into the UK as a domestic worker, but that he facilitated the victim's visa knowing her eventual fate. In return, Mugambe would provide him help in relation to a separate court case back in Uganda.

The Crown Prosecution Service authorised a conspiracy charge against Mugerwa, but he could not be charged with any offences due to his diplomatic immunity, which the Ugandan Government did not waive.

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."

Commander for Oxfordshire, Chief Superintendent Ben Clark said: "Lydia Mugambe is an extremely qualified lawyer, a Ugandan High Court Judge and a UN Criminal Tribunal Judge. As such, there is no doubt that she knew 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.

"If you are a victim or have information about modern slavery then please contact Thames Valley Police. We will listen and we will help you.

"You can contact us by visiting a police station, leaving details via our website or by calling 101."