A Ugandan High Court judge and United Nations appointee, Lydia Mugambe, has been sentenced to over six years in prison by a UK court for forcing a woman to work as a domestic slave during her time as a student at the University of Oxford.
Mugambe, 50, was handed a six-year and four-month sentence by Oxford Crown Court on Friday after being convicted of four charges, including two under the UK’s Modern Slavery Act. The offences occurred while she was pursuing a doctorate in law at Oxford.
The court found that Mugambe compelled a young woman—whose identity is protected—to work without pay, performing household chores and providing childcare. Prosecutors said she exploited the victim’s limited knowledge of UK labor rights and misled her about the nature of her visit to Britain.
Mugambe, who was appointed to the United Nations judicial roster in May 2023, also faced charges of conspiracy to violate UK immigration law, facilitating travel for exploitation, and attempting to intimidate a witness. She denied all charges, claiming she had treated the woman with affection and respect.
However, the victim testified that she felt “lonely” and “stuck” during her time with Mugambe, highlighting the emotional toll of her unpaid labor.
The case underscores growing international scrutiny over labor exploitation and modern slavery, even among high-profile figures.