The Lydia Mugambe slavery case has reached its final chapter, as Oxford Crown Court prepares to issue a sentence. Mugambe, a 50-year-old Ugandan High Court judge and Oxford University PhD student, was convicted in March 2025. A UK jury found her guilty of trafficking a young Ugandan woman, forcing her into unpaid domestic work, and attempting to intimidate a witness.
Prosecutors argued that Mugambe misused her position to deceive the woman. She promised her a legal job in the UK. However, upon arrival, Mugambe picked her up from the airport and brought her to her home in Oxfordshire. There, the woman worked without pay as a maid and nanny. Notably, UK law considers modern slavery a severe crime, with penalties reaching life imprisonment.
The case began on February 10, 2023, when Thames Valley Police received a tip about the woman’s situation. Acting swiftly, officers launched an investigation alongside other government agencies. Authorities later confirmed that Mugambe secured the woman’s visa under false pretenses. The visa stated that the woman would work for Uganda’s Deputy High Commissioner, John Mugerwa. Despite this claim, Mugambe took control of the woman’s travel and employment.
Mugerwa, who had diplomatic immunity, allegedly cooperated in the visa arrangement. In exchange, he reportedly received legal help from Mugambe for a matter in Uganda. Because the UK government did not revoke his immunity, he avoided prosecution. Meanwhile, Mugambe’s relatives continue to insist on her innocence. They claim the woman fabricated the charges based on advice from asylum-focused networks in the UK.
Importantly, this case unfolds alongside new international treaties. On April 13, 2025, Uganda signed bilateral prisoner transfer agreements with the UK, China, Turkey, and South Korea. Justice Minister Norbert Mao ratified the treaties under Uganda’s Transfer of Convicted Offenders Act. These agreements enable Ugandans convicted abroad to serve their sentences in their home country. Therefore, Mugambe may soon be transferred to Uganda, where she could receive a presidential pardon.
Overall, the Lydia Mugambe slavery case has sparked significant public debate. It highlights how high-ranking officials can abuse power across borders. It also raises questions about the limits of diplomatic immunity and the complexity of international legal cooperation. As the court prepares to sentence Mugambe, legal analysts believe the outcome may influence future cases involving foreign dignitaries and human rights violations.
