UN Judge Lydia Mugambe Sentenced to Over Six Years for Human Trafficking

United Nations judge Lydia Mugambe was sentenced to six years in prison for forcing a Ugandan woman to work as a slave in the UK. Mugambe was found guilty of multiple charges including breaches of immigration law and intimidation. The victim described feelings of loneliness and restriction throughout her ordeal, while Mugambe claimed innocence and accused the victim of seeking employment willingly.

Lydia Mugambe, a judge associated with the United Nations, has been sentenced to over six years in prison for her involvement in human trafficking. Mugambe, aged 50, was convicted after a trial at Oxford Crown Court, where the jury found her guilty of multiple offenses including breaching UK immigration laws and forcing a young Ugandan woman to work under slave-like conditions.

The court heard that Mugambe, who was studying for a PhD in law at the University of Oxford and held a position as a High Court judge in Uganda, coerced her victim into performing domestic tasks and childcare without compensation. Exploiting her judicial influence, she misled the victim into traveling to the UK, under the guise of providing legitimate employment opportunities.

During the trial, it was revealed Mugambe claimed to possess immunity from prosecution, asserting her diplomatic status when confronted by authorities after her arrest. She insisted that the young woman had sought employment out of her own volition due to a previous association with Mugambe.

The prosecution, led by Caroline Haughey KC, articulated that Mugambe took egregious advantage of her victim’s ignorance regarding her rights, ultimately using her as a personal domestic servant. The court was shown evidence of ugly manipulation, including a collaborative effort between Mugambe and Ugandan high-ranking officials to facilitate the victim’s entry into the UK under dubious circumstances.

Mugambe’s defense included outright denials of the charges, claiming she had treated the young woman with kindness. Nevertheless, the victim’s testimony portrayed a dismal reality, expressing feelings of isolation and entrapment as her working conditions were severely restricted without pay. The broader implications of this case underline the severity of human trafficking, even when perpetrated by individuals in positions of authority.

Lydia Mugambe’s sentencing highlights the grave nature of human trafficking crimes and the exploitation of vulnerable individuals. As a UN judge, her actions were particularly shocking, revealing how positions of power can be misused for personal gain at the expense of others. The case serves as a grim reminder about the importance of safeguarding rights and understanding of legal protections for all.

Original Source: news.sky.com