In a stunning turn of events, a British jury convicted Lydia Mugambe, a United Nations judge and a high court judge in Uganda, for subjecting a Ugandan woman to domestic servitude in the UK. Lured by false promises of a job in a diplomatic household, the victim found herself transformed into an unpaid maid and nanny. Mugambe seized her passport and visa, trapping her until she managed to reach a friend who informed the authorities, as revealed by Thames Valley Police.
Eran Clutliffe, an attorney for the Crown Prosecution Service’s Special Crime Division, highlighted the heinous exploitation of the victim, stating, “Lydia Mugambe used her position to exploit a vulnerable young woman, controlling her freedom and making her work without payment.” At the time of her crime, the 49-year-old Mugambe was pursuing a doctorate at the University of Oxford while simultaneously being listed as a fellow in Columbia University’s human rights programme.
Mugambe’s charges included forced labor, an immigration offense, and conspiracy to intimidate a witness. Prosecutors argued her manipulative actions were designed to exploit the victim’s ignorance of her rights. Using her connections within the Ugandan High Commission in London, she managed to secure the victim’s visa under the guise of legitimate employment, only to instead impose servitude in her private residence.
The courtroom was filled with shocked gasps when the verdicts were announced at Oxford Crown Court, and Mugambe appeared visibly distressed, prompting the judge to clear the room. Despite her plea of innocence, Mugambe, who had recently joined a UN international court, now awaits sentencing scheduled for May 2.
Lydia Mugambe, a UN judge and Ugandan high court judge, was convicted in the UK for forcing a Ugandan woman into domestic servitude under false promises of employment. She confiscated the victim’s passport, leaving her trapped until a friend contacted authorities. The case revealed Mugambe’s exploitation of power and a severe violation of human rights, leading to her conviction on multiple serious charges.
The conviction of Lydia Mugambe serves as a stark reminder of the depths of exploitation that can exist, even among those entrusted with upholding human rights. Her actions demonstrate a profound betrayal of her position, as an alleged champion of justice and rights succumbed to the basest forms of manipulation and control. With her sentencing date approaching, society watches to see the accountability she will face for her grave violations.
Original Source: www.themainewire.com
